The process of aging can affect all systems in the body and at varying levels of severity. While many health issues related to age are familiar to most of us, like an increased prevalence of arthritis and kidney and liver disorders or complications with diabetes, others that appear less severe—such as dry mouth—can be shrugged off as a minor annoyance or inconvenience.
Unfortunately, overlooking dry mouth in older patients can result in future dental complications and even undiagnosed conditions outside the mouth, since dry mouth can act an indicator of other underlying issues. Dry mouth can be the result of numerous factors and should always be taken seriously.
Causes of dry mouth
The average adult produces over a quart and a half of saliva every day. When production is thrown off, many patients experience a dry, gritty or sticky feeling in their mouth. Saliva is an important component of your body’s ecosystem. Comprised of water, mucous, proteins, minerals and enzymes, it does much more than wet your whistle! Saliva helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and start to break down foods as part of the digestive process. Therefore, it’s obvious why a lack of saliva could lead to serious health complications if left unchecked.
Dry mouth can result from internal physiological and external environmental factors, but health professionals stress that it is not solely a side effect of aging. The onset of dry mouth can be slow, so patients and caregivers commonly write it off.
Many times, dry mouth is the result of a side-effect of medication. The American Dental Associations estimates more than 500 drugs that treat a range of ailments from heart disease to cancer to allergies list dry mouth as a side effect. And as age increases, so does prescription drug usage. 90% of Americans age 65 and older take at least one prescription drug. Many experts believe that this is a prevalent reason dry mouth in older patients occurs much more frequently than in younger patients.
And while medication ranks as the top cause of dry mouth, other causes such as infection and hormonal changes can also spur that dry, sticky feeling in your mouth.
Finally, dry mouth can also be a symptom of something much more serious like anemia, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease or autoimmune disorders. Sjögren’s Syndrome, an auto-immune disease where white blood cells attack the glands that produce saliva and tears, is an especially common cause for dry mouth among older patients. About four million Americans suffer from the illness, and 90% are women.
Complications from dry mouth
Lack of saliva and severe dry mouth can lead to serious oral health and digestive complications. First, increased plaque, tooth decay and gum disease can occur. Saliva is designed to neutralize bacteria by limiting bacterial growth and washing away food particles. Other complications include mouth sores, yeast infections in the mouth and cracked, dry skin around the mouth and lips. Finally, saliva enhances a person’s ability to taste, swallow and digest food. Many older patients complain about dulled tastes, which can be tied back to dry mouth. If a decrease in saliva results in difficult chewing and swallowing, a patient’s nutrition could be affected.
Treatments for dry mouth
Dry mouth treatment varies by patient and depends on the severity of the case. First, ask your doctors if there are alternatives to the medicines you’re on that list dry mouth as a side effect. If changing isn’t an option, consult with your doctor to determine if there are any modifications to the dosage that can be made.
Another common treatment is the use of prescription or over-the-counter mouth rinses that lubricate the mouth. These treatments have been found to be very effective, and in addition to alleviating dry mouth they can help prevent tooth decay.
At-home remedies such as sipping water throughout the day or chewing sugar-free gum can increase the amount of saliva in the mouth, too. Finally, dry air—particularly in the winter—is often contributing to the discomfort. Try using humidifiers and practice breathing through your mouth to prevent the discomfit associated with dry mouth.
Dental care for dry mouth
Older patients can have severe oral issues when they suffer from dry mouth. It’s important that those with dentures or dental implants visit with their dentist frequently to ensure the side-effects of dry mouth are not complicating their other ongoing treatments. Between appointments, it’s also recommended to brush with fluoride-enriched toothpaste and floss your teeth at least twice daily. In addition, fluoride rinses can help protect your teeth from bad bacteria that rapidly multiply in a dry mouth.
If you or your elderly parent is suffering from dry mouth, call our office today! We are highly qualified to work with older patient populations to ensure that all aspects of their dental care are addressed.
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