Dry mouth, or xerostomia, occurs when the mouth fails to produce enough saliva, leading to discomfort and potential health issues. While occasional dry mouth is usually resolved by drinking water, chronic xerostomia can lead to more serious oral health problems and impact daily functioning and quality of life. Dry mouth is especially prevalent, affecting over 50% of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Why Saliva Matters
Saliva plays several crucial roles beyond simply moistening the mouth. It:
- Helps break down food and aids in digestion.
- Neutralizes acids in the mouth, which helps prevent tooth decay.
- Washes away food particles and controls bacterial growth, protecting against cavities, gum disease, and infections.
- Enhances taste, making it easier to chew and swallow food.
Without enough saliva, individuals are at increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and fungal infections like thrush. Furthermore, difficulties in chewing, tasting, and swallowing can lead to poor nutrition.
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
Signs and symptoms of dry mouth may include:
- Persistent dryness or stickiness in the mouth
- Thick, stringy saliva
- Bad breath
- Sore throat and hoarseness
- Difficulty speaking, chewing, or swallowing
- Dry or rough-feeling tongue
- Altered sense of taste
- Trouble wearing dentures
- Dry-heaving
These symptoms can disrupt daily activities and, if untreated, may lead to severe oral health complications.
Causes of Dry Mouth
Xerostomia itself is not a disease but a symptom of various underlying issues:
- Medications: Hundreds of medications can cause dry mouth as a side effect, including treatments for depression, anxiety, allergies, and high blood pressure.
- Medical Conditions: Diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and rheumatoid arthritis can damage the salivary glands.
- Medical Treatments: Radiation therapy, especially for head and neck cancer, and some chemotherapy treatments may impair saliva production.
- Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, chewing tobacco, and mouth breathing are known contributors to dry mouth.
Strategies for Managing Mild Dry Mouth
For mild cases, dry mouth can often be managed through simple lifestyle adjustments:
- Increase Water Intake: Drinking water frequently helps reduce dryness.
- Chewing Sugar-Free Gum or Candy: Stimulates saliva flow.
- Using Saliva Substitutes: Over-the-counter products, such as artificial saliva or oral rinses, can help moisten the mouth.
- Avoid Mouth Breathing: Breathing through the nose instead of the mouth reduces dryness.
Additional Tips for Managing More Severe Cases
- Stimulate Saliva Flow: Suck on mints or hard candies.
- Try Citrus or Acidic Foods: Sucking on a frozen orange wedge or ice cubes made with lemon juice can help.
- Use Saliva Replacement Products: Products such as Biotene gel and spray or Aquaspray can provide temporary relief.
- Mouth Rinses: Rinse frequently with plain water, sodium bicarbonate mouthwash, or soda water to keep the mouth moist.
The Potential of Cordycepin from Mushrooms
Research into new treatments for xerostomia has identified promising effects from cordycepin, a bioactive compound found in Cordyceps mushrooms. Known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, cordycepin has shown potential in treating dry mouth by enhancing the activity of two key salivary markers: amylase and aquaporin-5 (AQP5).
(Pictured: cordyceps militaris)
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Salivary Markers and Protein Stimulation: Studies on human salivary gland (HSG) cells suggest that cordycepin can stimulate the expression of genes and proteins that increase production of amylase (a digestive enzyme) and AQP5 (a water transport regulator in salivary glands). By activating these markers, cordycepin may improve salivary gland function and counter the effects of xerostomia.
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Reducing Oxidative Stress: Oxidative stress is a major factor in salivary gland dysfunction. Cordycepin’s antioxidant properties can help lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, protecting salivary gland cells from oxidative stress. This may potentially reverse some of the damage caused by conditions like radiation therapy.
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Anti-Apoptotic Properties: Cordycepin supports cell survival by increasing levels of protective proteins while decreasing proteins associated with cell death. This effect can help sustain the function of salivary cells and prevent further deterioration of saliva production.
Conclusion
Dry mouth is a common but often overlooked condition that significantly impacts quality of life and oral health. From simple hydration and lifestyle adjustments to emerging evidence-based treatments cordycepin, various strategies exist for managing xerostomia or dry mouth.
