Dry Mouth Relief

Dry Mouth Relief

20/09/2022

Around 1 in 4 Australians suffer from ‘dry mouth syndrome’ or ‘xerostomia’, a condition of not producing enough saliva to keep the mouth wet.  This is due to poor function of the salivary glands.  Everyone has dry mouth once in a while but having dry mouth frequently can be uncomfortable and lead to serious health problems.

Dry mouth can make it difficult to taste, chew, swallow and speak. It can also cause bad breath as food particles are not effectively removed.

If dry mouth is left untreated it can lead to an increase rate of tooth decay and infections in the mouth such as thrush.  Extreme dry mouth is not a normal sign of aging and can indicate health problems including rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism. 

Causes of Dry Mouth

There are many causes of dry mouth including:

  • Certain medications – Over-the-counter drugs to treat allergies and cold symptoms as well as more than 400 types of medicine can lead to dry mouth.
  • Certain diseases & infections – Medical conditions such diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease can cause dry mouth.
  • Some medical treatments – Salivary glands can be damaged by radiation and chemotherapy causing saliva to thicken and the mouth to feel dry.
  • Nerve damage – If the neck or head is injured, or surgery performed in that area, this can cause nerve damage and dry mouth can occur.
  • Dehydration – Excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, blood loss, dehydration and burns can cause dry mouth.
  • Lifestyle – Smoking can also contribute to dry mouth.

The Benefits of Xylitol

Chewing PUR®xylitol gum and xylitol mints is an effective and pleasant way to stimulate saliva flow and freshen the breath.  Chewing gum or mints sweetened with xylitol, a natural sugar free sweetener, assists with moisturising the mouth, helps induce salivary flow, fights tooth decay and strengthens tooth enamel.

Sugar free PUR®Chewing Gum and PUR®Mints are both 100% naturally sweetened with xylitol and are available in a variety of flavours and sizes including convenient sizes to carry in your pocket or bag. https://sweetlife.com.au/shop/

In addition, it is advised to have regular check-ups if you have dry mouth and for your overall oral health care.

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