Dry Mouth
Treatment for Dry Mouth
Treatment for Dry Mouth
Dry mouth treatment will depend on what is causing the problem. If you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician. He or she can help to determine what is causing your dry mouth. If your dry mouth is caused by medicine, your physician might change your medicine or adjust the dosage.
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If your salivary glands are not working right but can still produce some saliva, your dentist or physician might give you a medicine that helps the glands work better. Your dentist or physician might also suggest that you use artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet.
Do's and Don'ts
Do's
- Do drink water or sugarless drinks often. That will make chewing and swallowing easier when eating.
- Do chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva flow.
- Do use a humidifier at night to promote moisture in the air while you sleep.
Don’ts
- Don't consume drinks with caffeine such as coffee, tea, and some sodas. Caffeine can dry out the mouth.
- Don't use tobacco or alcohol. They dry out the mouth.
Gene Therapy Research
Scientists are exploring the potential use of gene therapy -- replacing, manipulating, or supplementing nonfunctional genes with healthy genes -- to treat salivary gland dysfunction. The idea is to transfer additional or replacement genes into the salivary glands of people with Sjögren's syndrome and cancer patients whose salivary glands were damaged during radiation treatment. The hope is that these genes will increase the production of saliva and eliminate the chronic parched sensation that bothers people with dry mouth conditions.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is currently conducting a clinical study -- a research study in humans -- on this approach for radiation-damaged salivary glands. For more information about the study, visit: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00372320?order=1.
Research to Develop an Artificial Salivary Gland
Research efforts are also under way to develop an artificial salivary gland for patients who have lost all salivary gland function. The first-generation artificial gland will be a tiny tube lined with cells that have been engineered to produce saliva-like fluid. Made of biodegradable material, the tube would be inserted into the inside of the cheek. All the components for the artificial gland have been developed and are now being tested with the goal of producing a prototype within a few years.
