Important notice

The information contained in this section is intended only for the health professional authorised to prescribe or dispense medicinal products for which specialised training is required for proper interpretation. If you do not belong to this group, please refrain from continuing.

I declare I am a health professional with prescribing or dispensing capacity in Spain.

Dry mouth

share, link, spread

Dry mouth or xerostomia is the subjective feeling of having a dry mouth. This is a common reason for complaints, especially among older people. It is often associated with a decrease in salivary secretion due to a malfunction of the salivary glands, but it can also be a consequence of changes in the composition of the saliva.

Between 22% and 26% of the healthy population suffer from dry mouth, the most common cause being the use of drugs.

Causes of dry mouth

Salivary secretion can be affected by multiple factors. The main causes of this reduction in salivary flow are the consumption of certain drugs (anticholinergics, antihistamines, antihypertensives, anxiolytics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics), radiation therapy in the head and neck area, psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression, and systemic diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune, inflammatory and chronic disease that causes decreased glandular secretion.

Consequences of dry mouth

Saliva has multiple functions including cleaning the oral cavity, an antimicrobial action, maintaining the integrity of the mucosa, the ability to neutralise pH and prevent the demineralisation of the teeth.

Dry mouth is a major problem for those suffering from it and it can cause recurrent fungal infections (candidiasis), mucositis, taste disorders, difficulty swallowing or speaking, halitosis or a burning mouth feeling. The lack of salivary secretion also increases the risk of tooth decay and may lead to the appearance of new lesions or the worsening of existing ones.

Treatment for dry mouth

The treatment for dry mouth or xerostomia aims to increase the salivary flow when possible, as well as reducing symptoms and preventing dental conditions that are secondary to the lack of salivary secretion, such as tooth decay, halitosis or gum disease. There are different products that improve the symptoms of xerostomia and have a preventive effect on secondary diseases that may appear. The most widely used are saliva substitutes or stimulants in the form of a dry mouth spray. These products can incorporate moisturising agents, such as hyaluronic acid and/or ingredients that reduce the risk of tooth decay, such as fluorine or xylitol.

Hyaluronic acid is a natural high weight molecular mucopolysaccharide, an essential component of the connective tissue of the oral mucosa, which acts physiologically as a barrier, providing stability and elasticity. It is highly viscous and lubricant, adhering to the mucosa and, due to its great capacity to retain water (even 50 times its own volume), causes the humidification to last.

Tips for dry mouth care

The following tips can help reduce the discomfort associated with dry mouth:

Our website uses our own cookies and those of third parties in order to customise browsing, and in order to improve your services by analysing the users surfing habits. By continuing to browse, you agree to use it in accordance with our Cookies Policy. AQUI

Required for technical reasons

Analysis