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Common conditions associated with dry mouth include
diabetes, arthritis, and depression10
Prevalence has been associated with the total number
of drugs taken, whether xerogenic or not 9
- Older patients use 3 prescription and
- 2 over-the-counter medications daily, on average11
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Xerostomia commonly occurs when the salivary glands in the mouth stop working normally or, as one theory suggests, when water in the mouth evaporates more quickly, and is absorbed by the oral mucosa faster than the rate of salivary production.1
Xerostomia is associated with a number of medical conditions including: dehydration, smoking, anxiety, aging, pregnancy, stress, hypertension and depression.2,4 Less commonly, conditions also include: radiation therapy, nerve damage caused by head and neck trauma, endocrine disorders and bone marrow transplantation.3
Certain diseases are associated with xerostomia, and can include:2,4 the auto-immune disorder Sjögren's syndrome, sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, HIV, chronic active hepatitis, and Parkinson's disease.
Yet today, xerostomia is most often related to medication. In fact, 64% of all dry mouth episodes are reportedly associated with medication use,5 and there are more than 400 medications that can adversely affect saliva production.6 Common medications that cause dry mouth include: analgesics, anticholinergics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory agents, cholesterol-lowering drugs, antihypertensives, stomach acid pump inhibitors, cold and cough medications, allergy medications and sleep aids. 7
As the number of medications a patient takes daily increases, so do the symptoms of dry mouth.2 With older patients using an average of three prescriptions, and two over-the-counter medications each day, 8 experts believe the use of these medications may explain why xerostomia is a becoming such a common concern of the elderly.9
Dry mouth-inducing medications can be found in 42 drug categories, including9:
- Amphetamines
- Antianxiety agents
- Antiarrhythmics
- Antiasthma agents
- Anticholinergics
- Antidepressants
- Antiemetics
- Antihistamines
- Antihyperlipemics
- Antihypertensives
- Anti-inflammatory agents
- Antipsychotics
- Antitussives
- Antivirals
- Beta-blockers
- Bronchodilators
- Decongestants
- Diuretics
- Medication for
- Parkinson's disease
- Migraine preparations
- NSAIDs
- Seizure disorder medications
- Smoking cessation aids
- Vasodilators
Click here to learn how Oasis helps manage dry mouth symptoms for your
patients suffering from xerostomia.
Sources:
- Dawes C: How much saliva is enough for avoidance of xerostomia? Caries Res 38:236-240, 2004.
- Guggenheimer J, Moore PA. Xerostomia: etiology, recognition and treatment. JADA. 2003;143:61-69.
- Fowler CE, Urquhart D, Review of the use of polymers in saliva substitutes for symptomatic relief of xerostomia. J Clin Dent 17 [Spec Iss]: 2006.
- Facts about Dry Mouth: Information provided by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.
- Urquhart, David. Review of the Use of Polymers in Saliva Substitutes for Symptomatic Relief of Xerostomia. J Clin Dent 17 [Spec Iss]; 29-33, 2006.
- National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. "Dry Mouth." 1999.
- Sreebny LM, Schwartz SS. A reference guide to drugs and dry mouth- 2nd edition. Gerondontology. 1997; 14:33-47
- Atkinson JC, Baum BJ. Salivary enhancement: current status and future therapies. J Dent Educ. 2001;65:1096-1101.
- Fox, PC. Dry Mouth: Managing the Symptoms and Providing Effective Relief. . J Clin Dent 17 [Spec Iss]: 2006.
- Sreebny LM, Schwartz SS. A reference guide to drugs and dry mouthÑ2nd edition.Gerodontology. 1997;14:33-47
- Guggenheimer J, Moore PA. Xerostomia: etiology, recognition and treatment. JADA. 2003;134:61-69.
- Atkinson JC, Baum BJ. Salivary enhancement: current
status and future therapies. J Dent Educ. 2001;65:1096-1101.
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