Dry mouth, often called “cotton mouth,” is a common experience where the mouth feels uncomfortably parched. This term vividly captures the sensation of a dry, sticky oral cavity. This article explores the origins of this name by detailing the feeling and its physiological causes.
Understanding the Sensation
The sensation that gives “dry mouth” its common name, “cotton mouth,” is characterized by a distinct feeling of dryness and stickiness. Individuals often describe it as if their mouth is filled with a dry, fibrous material, similar to cotton balls. This parched feeling can extend to the tongue and throat, sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation.
A lack of lubrication makes everyday activities, such as speaking, chewing, and swallowing, difficult and uncomfortable. The tongue might stick to the roof of the mouth, and the voice can become hoarse. This feeling of a parched and sticky oral cavity led to the descriptive term “cotton mouth.”
The Role of Saliva
Saliva, commonly known as spit, plays a significant role in maintaining oral health and comfort. It is primarily composed of water, making up about 99% of its volume, with the remaining 1% consisting of proteins, electrolytes, enzymes, and other compounds. These components allow saliva to perform numerous functions essential for oral health. Saliva moistens food, making it easier to chew and swallow, and aids in the initial stages of digestion through enzymes like amylase. It also helps wash away food particles, neutralize acids, and protect tooth enamel, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. When salivary glands produce insufficient saliva, these protective functions are impaired, leading to the characteristic dryness and discomfort of “cotton mouth.”
Common Causes of Dry Mouth
Reduced saliva production, leading to dry mouth, can stem from various common factors. Dehydration, a lack of fluid intake, is a frequent cause. Many common medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and certain blood pressure drugs, list dry mouth as a side effect. Hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter drugs can decrease saliva production.
Certain medical conditions, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, also contribute to dry mouth. Radiation therapy, particularly to the head and neck, can damage salivary glands, significantly lowering saliva production. Lifestyle factors like mouth breathing, especially during sleep, and tobacco and alcohol consumption, can also lead to dry mouth symptoms.