Xerostomia is a symptom of various diseases or other health conditions.
This condition causes the production of saliva is reduced or even none at all.
Saliva serves to moisten the mouth, helping to swallow, and the taste of food. Saliva also helps prevent the formation of dental plaque caused by food.
In addition, saliva also help neutralize mouth acids that harm tooth enamel.
Xerostomia can occur for several reasons.
Here are the 5 most common causes that often cause xerostomia:
1. Drug Side Effects
Drugs are the most common cause of xerostomia. Hundreds of medications can cause dry mouth.
Including the painkillers, medication for depression, flu medication, muscle spasms medication, and allergy medications.
Elderly people often take many drugs, including drugs that may cause dry mouth. Therefore, many of those who experience dry mouth conditions.
2. Complications of Disease and Infection
Some diseases associated with dry mouth. Among them are diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, and HIV infection.
Xerostomia also occur in Sjogren's syndrome. In this condition, the body's antibodies attack the salivary glands and tear glands.
Some viral infections, such as mumps, also affect the production of saliva and cause xerostomia.
3. dehydration
Any condition that causes loss of body fluids can also cause xerostomia.
These conditions include fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, or loss of water through the skin due to burns.
4. Radiation therapy
Xerostomia is a common side effect that occurs because of radiation therapy to treat cancer in the head and neck.
5. Salivary gland surgery Appointment
If there is a large swelling in the salivary glands, surgical removal of the gland may be done. If the salivary glands were raised, then of course saliva production stops.
