Dry Mouth in Seniors: Causes, Symptoms & Tips to Manage

Dry mouth is a condition especially common in seniors in which your salivary gland doesn’t produce enough saliva and your mouth ends up feeling dry most of the time. This condition doesn’t just affect your appetite and ability to enjoy your food but it can also cause a negative effect on your overall health. Not just that, dry mouth can also create a long list of teeth and gums-related woes.

Curious about this condition and want to learn more? We bring to you the ultimate guide on dry mouth in seniors which covers everything right from causes, symptoms to tips to manage this condition like a pro.

What causes dry mouth in seniors?

There are several factors that can affect your salivary gland’s ability to produce enough saliva. Some known causes of dry mouth in seniors are:

- Old age

Ageing is one of the most common factors that can cause dry mouth. Change in your body’s ability to process medication and long-term health problems which ageing brings along with it increase the chances of you suffering from a case of dry mouth.

- Medication

Over-the-counter medications used to treat depression, high blood pressure and anxiety are known to cause dry mouth as a side effect to consuming them, especially for a longer period of time.

- Cancer therapy

Did you know that chemotherapy drugs can affect your saliva production? Yes, it can change the amount and nature of your saliva. Note that this change is temporary in most cases and your body resumes producing its regular amount of saliva after your treatment comes to an end.

Remember that nerve damage, Alzheimer’s disease and other autoimmune diseases, alcohol or tobacco use and recreational drugs are some other known causes of dry mouth in seniors.

Symptoms of dry mouth in seniors

Wondering what are some early signs and symptoms which might be a telltale that you are suffering from dry mouth?

Here are some of the common symptoms of dry mouth in seniors that you must watch out for.

• Bad breath
• Difficulty eating, chewing and swallowing
• Feeling stickiness in your mouth
• Abnormally thick saliva
• Sore throat
• Dry tongue
• Hoarseness of voice
• Change in appetite
• Change in sense of taste

6 Amazing Tips to relieve dry mouth

The most important tip is to elevate your oral care game. Invest in high-quality oral care products which will help you combat dental problems with minimum effort. Head over to the makeO website to grab their latest smart toothbrushes, water flossers and other exciting and new-age dental care products that will transform your oral care like never before!

Here are some other handy tips that will help you relieve a case of dry mouth in seniors:

1. Chew sugar-free gums and sugar-free candies to increase the flow of your saliva.
2. Don’t buy mouth rinses that have alcohol as they will further make your mouth dry.
3. Avoid your caffeine intake as they are known to aggravate a case of dry mouth.
4. Increase your water intake as dehydration can cause dry mouth.
5. Avoid tobacco and smoking as again they make your mouth drier.
6. Avoid overindulging in food items that are high in sugar and too acidic as they can increase your risk of tooth decay.

Elevate your oral hygiene with makeO toothsi

To summarise, dry mouth in seniors can be easily managed with a good oral care regime and with the help of the above-mentioned tips and hacks.

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So say goodbye to dental woes and step into the modern dental world with makeO toothsi. Visit our website to explore more such superior quality oral care products which will give you healthier and happier smiles.

FAQs:

When should I be concerned about a dry mouth?

If it happens occasionally, then it could be a sign of dehydration. However, if it persists, then there could be an underlying cause that needs to be examined.

What vitamins are good for dry mouth?

Vitamin A is great for dry mouth as it helps to boost your saliva production naturally.

Is oil pulling good for dry mouth?

Yes, oil pulling is considered to be beneficial for people suffering from dry mouth. However, note that it is best to seek advice from your orthodontist or your dentist before you indulge in oil pulling to treat your dry mouth.

What are some complications that dry mouth can lead to?

Some known complications that can be caused by dry mouth are tooth decay, gum disease, plaque buildup, mouth sores and cracked lips.