Dry Mouth and Aging

by National Institute on Aging

What is Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth is the feeling that there is not enough saliva in the mouth. Everyone has dry mouth once in a while - if they are nervous, upset, under stress, or taking certain medications. But if you have dry mouth all or most of the time, see a dentist or physician. Many older adults have dry mouth, but it is not a normal part of aging.

Saliva does more than keep your mouth wet. It protects teeth from decay, helps heal sores in your mouth, and prevents infection by controlling bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the mouth.

Saliva helps digest food and helps us chew and swallow. Saliva is involved in taste perception as well. Each of these functions of saliva is hampered when a person has dry mouth.

Dry mouth can be uncomfortable. Some people notice a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth. Others notice a burning feeling or difficulty while eating. The throat may feel dry, too, making swallowing difficult. Also, people with dry mouth may get mouth sores, cracked lips, and a dry, rough tongue.

Quiz

1. Dry mouth is a normal part of aging.

FALSE is the correct answer. Even though many older adults have dry mouth, it is not a normal part of aging.

2. Saliva's only purpose is to keep the mouth wet.

FALSE is the correct answer. Saliva helps digest food, protects teeth from decay, and prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth.

3. Dry mouth can increase your chance of developing infections in the mouth.

TRUE is the correct answer. Saliva helps protect teeth from decay. Without enough saliva, you may be more likely to develop tooth decay or other infections in the mouth.

4. Dry mouth can make the throat feel dry.

TRUE is the correct answer. People with dry mouth may notice a dry feeling in the throat, making swallowing difficult.

What Causes Dry Mouth?

People get dry mouth when the glands in the mouth that make saliva are not working properly. Because of this, there might not be enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. There are several reasons why these glands, called salivary glands, might not work right.

More than 400 medicines, including some over-the-counter medications, can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva, or to change the composition of the saliva so that it can't perform the functions it should. As an example, medicines for urinary incontinence, allergies, high blood pressure, and depression often cause dry mouth.

Some diseases can affect the salivary glands. Dry mouth can occur in patients with diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth is the hallmark symptom of the fairly common autoimmune disease Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome can occur either by itself or with another autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Salivary and tear glands are the major targets of the syndrome and the result is a decrease in production of saliva and tears. The disorder can occur at any age, but the average person with the disorder at the Sjögren's Syndrome Clinic of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is in his or her late 50s. Women with the disorder outnumber men 9 to 1.

Certain cancer treatments can affect the salivary glands. Head and neck radiation therapy can cause the glands to produce little or no saliva. Chemotherapy may cause the salivary glands to produce thicker saliva, which makes the mouth feel dry and sticky.

Injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva.

Quiz

1. Chemotherapy can affect the salivary glands.

TRUE is the correct answer. Dry mouth can be a result of chemotherapy. You may experience dry mouth only during treatment or for a short time after treatment ends. It depends on the chemotherapy drugs and how your body reacts to them.

2. Sjögren's syndrome is an infectious disease.

FALSE is the correct answer. Sjögren's is an autoimmune disease that occurs by itself or with another autoimmune disease, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. It affects the salivary and tear glands, causing a decrease in production of saliva and tears.

3. Only prescription medications can cause the salivary glands to work incorrectly.

FALSE is the correct answer. More than 400 medications, including over-the-counter drugs, may contribute to dry mouth. Your dentist or physician may change your medication or reduce the dosage to combat dry mouth.

4. Injuries to the head and neck areas have nothing to do with dry mouth.

FALSE is the correct answer. Injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva.

Treatment for Dry Mouth

Dry mouth treatment will depend on what is causing the problem. If you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician. He or she can help to determine what is causing your dry mouth. If your dry mouth is caused by medicine, your physician might change your medicine or adjust the dosage.

If your salivary glands are not working right but can still produce some saliva, your dentist or physician might give you a medicine that helps the glands work better. Your dentist or physician might also suggest that you use artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet.

Drinking water or sugarless drinks often will make chewing and swallowing easier when eating. Avoid drinks with caffeine such as coffee, tea, and some sodas. Caffeine can dry out the mouth.

About the Author

www.nia.nih.gov
NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.