If you are here, it is probably because you just woke up with an unpleasant sensation in your mouth. Is your tongue tingling? Is your throat burning? You have probably realized that drinking water did not help you feel better. Most of the time, the sensation of a dry, sticky mouth that appears during the night does not go away quickly. It is recommended to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis of your health condition, who will tell you which treatments are most suitable. Only they can know the causes. However, you can also try using an electric toothbrush adapted to your needs, but first try home remedies to see if they work.
Here is a guide to help you better understand the phenomenon of a "dry, sticky mouth" and know which solutions to recommend to address this health problem that can ruin your life.
What does having a dry, sticky mouth mean?
Having a dry, sticky mouth is not a trivial issue to take lightly. It originates from dry mouth, also called "xerostomia." It is directly linked to a decrease in saliva production (hyposalivation) and the thicker consistency of saliva. It is often associated with dryness of the eyes, skin, or digestive mucosa.
Several symptoms should obviously alert you:
-Dry mouth and throat
-More frequent thirst than usual
-Bad breath
-Irritation or burning of the tongue
-Difficulty swallowing, eating, or even speaking
-Severe sore throat
-A gradual loss of taste
-Gum diseases or dental cavities.
You can try brushing your teeth with a sonic electric toothbrush to see if the symptoms improve. Indeed, the Y-Brush removes 15% more dental plaque than a traditional toothbrush, which helps reduce your feeling of a dry, sticky mouth.
When to see a doctor for oral care?
The only way to diagnose whether it is dry mouth or an oral hygiene issue is to perform an examination of the mouth. It is quickly detected by a patient's complaints or if the person is elderly and suffers from eating disorders. Treatment will be more significant if the impact of dry mouth is severe. This is the case when it is due to a medication cause or insufficient water in the patient's body. In the case of a salivary gland pathology, tests can be performed to check the proper functioning of the salivary glands. This can be done, for example, by imaging examination (X-ray, ultrasound, or sialoendoscopy) or, more rarely, a gland biopsy. If it is a disease, it will also be detected. Moreover, only the doctor can find the most suitable medication. Indeed, various over-the-counter products can be used to relieve dry mouth.
Here is a list of various medications that may be prescribed to you:
- Pilocarpine: it stimulates saliva production
- Anetholtrithione: it is also a bile function stimulant and a saliva and tear substitute.
- Hydration lozenges : allow more effective hydration than water
Your doctor will be able to advise you so that you can quickly regain good health.
What are the different causes of a dry mouth?
It is important to know that there are diseases that can cause or worsen dry mouth, whether you are aware of the disease you have or not. Here is an overview of the different causes of a dry mouth.
Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome
This syndrome is directly related to the state of your immune system. It is characterized by the immune system attacking and destroying the lacrimal salivary glands that produce secretions in the body. However, organs such as the lungs, nerves, and kidneys are much less affected. The origin of these symptoms is a relatively reduced production of secretions from certain glands in the body. Making a quick diagnosis is complicated because the signs appear slowly.
Chronic kidney failure
It is directly related to diabetes and high blood pressure. It is characterized by the kidneys gradually ceasing to function and metabolic products and water accumulating in the body. The kidneys therefore filter blood less effectively and take longer to excrete hormones. It is characterized by several visible symptoms such as swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs, as well as drowsiness and psychomotor slowing.
Type 2 diabetes
It is directly related to the regulation of blood sugar levels. People affected secrete insulin that less easily regulates blood sugar levels. Moreover, blood sugar remains very high after each meal. The pancreas secretes large amounts of insulin throughout the day. Complications of this type of diabetes usually include foot sensitivity and vision problems. If it reaches a severe stage, it can sometimes lead to a stroke or heart attack.
Mouth cancers
They mostly affect people over 40 years old. They are very often linked to excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption. To give a figure, they are responsible for 90% of mouth cancers. These mouth cancers or tumors are found on the tongue, inside the cheeks, on the palate, on the lips, or on the gums.
However, in the case of a baby, it is usually dehydration that causes a dry mouth.
How to get rid of a dry mouth?
There are several small tips you can follow to help this dry mouth sensation disappear as quickly as possible.
1-Drink plenty of water or fruit juices
One of the main causes of a dry mouth can be dehydration. It is therefore essential to stay hydrated by drinking 1.5 liters of your preferred beverage per day.
2-Limit acidic, spicy, and very salty foods
These are foods that cause a burning sensation in the mouth. They make the mucous membranes of the mouth painful.
Here is a list of foods you should avoid:
- Chips
- Sourdough bread
- Fatty fish like salmon
- Various cold cuts (dry sausage // cured ham)
- Very sugary drinks like sodas
3-Avoid medications that dry out the mouth at all costs
Certain medications cause dry mouth. This includes antidepressants, anxiolytics, antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, sleeping pills, and anti-nausea drugs. Radiotherapy can cause this effect permanently.
4-Use natural remedies
- Rinse your mouth with bicarbonate water
- Take grape seed oil
- Suck on mint lozenges and chew gum
- Use slices of ginger
- Drink freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Snack on fennel seeds
- Drink cups of Aloe Vera juice
- Add Cayenne pepper to your meals
5) Improve your oral hygiene
Dry mouth is often linked to poor oral hygiene. To address this issue, the solution is to improve your oral care routine. Brushing your teeth with a suitable toothbrush is therefore essential. You can brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush. It is important to wash your hands before and after brushing and to change your toothbrush regularly.
The toothbrush you can use to maintain healthy teeth is the Y-Brush toothbrush. It is made of Nylon, a material far more effective than the silicone used in the majority of toothbrushes. Silicone mainly provides a massaging sensation, while Nylon offers thorough brushing performance.
We hope this guide will help you regain good oral hygiene and thus no longer have a dry mouth feeling.
