Article: Xerostomia - Dry Mouth Protection and Help

Xerostomia: Dry Mouth Prevention and Help

What is Xerostomia?

Xerostomia is the extreme dryness of the mouth and lips.

What Is the Result of This Condition?

Xerostomia makes the process of chewing, swallowing and speaking difficult.

How is Xerostomia Related to Tooth Decay?

The less saliva, the less oxygen available in the mouth creating an oral environment for tooth decay causing bacteria that produce sulfur gases. Senses of taste and smell may also be affected.

How Are Symptoms of Xerostomia and Sjogren's Syndrome Similar?

While Xerostomia mainly describes the condition of severe dry mouth and lips, Sjogren's Syndrome includes these symptoms along with dry eyes and dryness in other mucous membranes.

Sjogren's Syndrome may be more extensive with the number and severity of symptoms varying from patient to patient. These symptoms include swollen salivary glands, dry nose, dry throat, and in some cases, the lungs and vaginal area are also dry. Some patients experience discomfort and problems in the skin, muscles, joints and nerves, while others may experience abnormalities in other areas of the body.

Can Sjogren's Syndrome Become Serious?

Sjogren's Syndrome may become severe if not treated early or properly and can cause ulcers of the cornea that may in turn lead to blindness in rare cases. Dryness in the lungs may also occur which can lead to lung infections including pneumonia. Sometimes, complications might lead to death.

What Can Help to Prevent These Conditions?

Proper oral hygiene (refer to Dental Plaque and Periodontal Disease article) helps to prevent conditions such as Xerostomia and Sjogren's Syndrome. A diet rich in raw, dark green leafy vegetables provides an abundant supply of chlorophyll that is similar molecularly to oxygen, in turn, yielding a disinfecting effect.

Eliminating products containing yeast, molds, and fungi (refer to The Fungus Among Us article), as well as reducing sweets that lower immunity and feed yeast/fungus is extremely important -- especially regarding these conditions.

Attempt to control your fungal levels by the elimination of products containing yeast, along with the nutritional incorporation of food suggestions offered at Dr. Rodio's Digestive Health Advisory page. If followed, these suggestions greatly enhance your prospects of returning to a balanced state of health.

Drinking plenty of water also helps to protect from these conditions.

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