Treatment for Dry Mouth

by National Institute on Aging

(Page 2 of 2)

Don't use tobacco or alcohol. They dry out the mouth. Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva flow. Be aware that spicy or salty foods may cause pain in a dry mouth. Finally, use a humidifier at night to promote moisture in the air while you sleep.

Scientists are exploring the potential use of gene therapy - replacing, manipulating, or supplementing nonfunctional genes with healthy genes - to treat salivary gland dysfunction. The idea is to transfer additional or replacement genes into the salivary glands of people with Sjögren's syndrome and cancer patients whose salivary glands were damaged during radiation treatment. The hope is that these genes will increase the production of saliva and eliminate the chronic parched sensation that bothers people with dry mouth conditions. Laboratory and animal studies in this area are ongoing.

In collaboration with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and Harvard University, research efforts are also underway to develop an artificial salivary gland for patients who have lost all salivary gland function. The first-generation artificial gland will be a tiny tube lined with cells that have been engineered to produce saliva-like fluid. Made of biodegradable material, the tube would be inserted into the inside of the cheek.

Quiz

1. To promote moisture in the air while you sleep, you should use

A. a humidifier.
B. an air conditioner.
C. a heater.

A is the correct answer. To promote moisture in the air while you sleep, you should use a humidifier.

2. If your salivary glands can still produce a little saliva, your dentist or physician might suggest you

A. rinse your mouth with water.
B. take a prescription medicine.
C. drink hot tea.

B is the correct answer. If you can still produce a little saliva, your dentist or physician might give you a medicine that helps your glands work better.

3. Which of the following substances can dry out the mouth?

A. drinks containing caffeine.
B. alcohol.
C. tobacco.
D. all of the above.

D is the correct answer. Drinks with caffeine such as coffee, tea, and some soda can dry out the mouth. Tobacco and alcohol also can dry out the mouth. People with dry mouth should avoid these substances.

4. Efforts to develop an artificial salivary gland will assist people who have

A. dry mouth when they get nervous.
B. decreased saliva flow from taking medications.
C. loss of all salivary gland function.

C is the correct answer. Studies are currently underway to develop an artificial salivary gland for patients who have lost all salivary gland function.

Keep Your Mouth Healthy

If you have dry mouth, you need to be extra careful to keep your teeth healthy. Saliva helps protect teeth from decay. But without enough saliva, you may be more likely to develop tooth decay or other infections in the mouth. Here are some tips for keeping your mouth healthy.

Brush your teeth with an extra-soft toothbrush after every meal and at bedtime. If brushing hurts, soften the bristles in warm water.

Floss your teeth gently every day. If your gums bleed and hurt, avoid the areas that are bleeding or sore, but keep flossing your other teeth, and see your dentist as soon as possible.

Always use toothpaste with fluoride in it. Most toothpastes sold at grocery and drug stores have fluoride in them.

Avoid sticky, sugary foods. If you do eat them, brush immediately afterwards.

Do not use mouthwashes with alcohol in them. Alcohol can dry out the mouth.

Visit your dentist for a check-up at least twice a year - and more frequently if you have dry mouth. Your dentist might give you a special fluoride solution that you can rinse with to help keep your teeth healthy.

Quiz

1. If you have dry mouth, you need to take extra care of your teeth.

TRUE is the correct answer. If you have dry mouth, you need to be extra careful to keep your teeth healthy. Saliva helps protect teeth from decay. But without enough saliva, you may be more likely to develop tooth decay or other infections in the mouth.

2. If you eat sugary, sticky foods, be sure to brush immediately afterwards.

TRUE is the correct answer. Avoid sticky, sugary foods. If you do eat them, brush immediately afterwards.

3. You should visit your dentist every two years.

FALSE is the correct answer. You should visit your dentist for a check-up at least two times a year.

4. Fluoride is important to keeping your teeth healthy.

TRUE is the correct answer. Fluoride helps protect your teeth from decay. Make sure you use toothpaste with fluoride. Most toothpastes sold at grocery and drug stores have fluoride in them.

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.