Saliva, produced by glands in and around the mouth, plays a vital role in oral health and digestion. It moistens food for chewing and swallowing, and dissolves flavors for taste. It also contains enzymes, like amylase, which begin breaking down starches. Saliva also rinses food debris and harmful bacteria from teeth and gums, promoting a clean oral environment.
Why Saliva Stimulation is Needed
Reduced saliva production, or dry mouth (xerostomia), impairs oral functions. Medications are a common cause; over 500 prescription and OTC drugs, including antihistamines, decongestants, pain medications, diuretics, and antidepressants, list dry mouth as a side effect. Medical conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome or diabetes also diminish saliva flow. Radiation therapy to the head and neck often damages salivary glands, causing persistent dryness.
Chronic dry mouth leads to numerous oral health problems. Without sufficient saliva to neutralize acids and wash away food particles, there’s an increased risk of dental cavities and gingivitis. Speech, chewing, and swallowing can become difficult. Lack of salivary lubrication can also lead to oral infections like thrush, and bad breath.
Everyday Methods for Boosting Saliva
Everyday approaches can help increase saliva production and alleviate dry mouth. Staying hydrated by sipping water keeps oral tissues moist and supports salivary gland function. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies, especially with xylitol, stimulates salivary glands. Chewing signals glands to release saliva, and xylitol inhibits bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Certain foods can also promote saliva flow. Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery, encourage saliva production through chewing. These foods also provide hydration and help clean the teeth. Conversely, avoid common irritants that dry the mouth. Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco products irritate oral tissues and reduce saliva flow.
Medical and OTC Saliva Stimulants
When everyday methods are insufficient, OTC products can relieve dry mouth. Artificial saliva sprays, gels, and rinses mimic natural saliva’s consistency and lubricating properties. They contain ingredients like carboxymethylcellulose or hydroxyethylcellulose, coating oral tissues for temporary moisture and comfort. They do not stimulate the body’s own saliva production but rather supplement it.
For persistent or severe dry mouth, prescription medications may be considered. Pilocarpine and cevimeline are medications approved to increase saliva production. These drugs, muscarinic agonists, target salivary gland receptors, signaling more saliva release. Pilocarpine and cevimeline are oral medications, with pilocarpine often taken multiple times daily. Their use is reserved for cases where salivary glands retain some function, as they rely on the glands’ ability to respond.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
Consult a healthcare professional (dentist or physician) for persistent dry mouth. If dry mouth is chronic or severe, impacting daily activities like speaking, eating, or sleeping, professional evaluation is recommended. This is important if symptoms worsen despite home remedies and OTC products. An underlying medical condition, like an autoimmune disease or undiagnosed diabetes, could cause reduced saliva flow.
A healthcare provider can examine to determine the root cause of dry mouth. They might adjust medications, recommend diagnostic tests, or prescribe saliva-stimulating medications. Early diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan can manage symptoms, prevent complications like dental decay, and improve oral health and quality of life.