
	Medical Edge


	About

	Television

	Radio

	Newspaper

		Participating Newspapers

	Magazine

	Contact


	About Mayo Clinic

	Make an Appointment at Mayo Clinic

Medical Edge Newspaper Column from Mayo Clinic

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO EASE MISERY OF LONG-TERM DRY MOUTH

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’ve suffered from constant dry mouth for 20 years. It makes speaking almost impossible. I’ve never sought medical attention. What would a doctor do, prescribe me an anti-dry mouth pill?! But now I read that a company has invented an electronic implant that stimulates the lingual nerve to start the flow of saliva. Is this a cure-all? It sounds too good to be true. — Aurora, Ill.

ANSWER: Although dry mouth may be only a minor annoyance to someone who experiences it occasionally, the condition can be debilitating when it continues long-term. In addition to speech problems, persistent dry mouth can cause frequent thirst, difficulty swallowing, sores and split skin at the corners of the mouth, bad breath, a change in a person’s sense of taste, increased tooth decay and recurring yeast infections in the mouth.

The implant you mention may be a treatment option for dry mouth in the future. Right now, though, its effectiveness is still being investigated in clinical research trials, none of which is taking place in the United States. So it is unlikely the device will be available in this country for some time.

That doesn’t mean you must endure the symptoms of dry mouth until then. Anti-dry mouth treatments do exist. Saliva substitutes are available without a prescription at most pharmacies. These products usually are sprayed into the mouth and can be used as often as needed. Prescription medications that stimulate saliva production are available as well. Because tooth decay can be a major problem, fluoride medications are also often prescribed for people with dry mouth.

Along with using medications, try these tips to combat dry mouth:

— Sip cool water throughout the day.

— Drink milk with meals. Milk coats food in much the same way saliva does.

— Reduce your intake of caffeinated beverages.

— Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages or using alcohol-containing mouthwashes.

— Avoid dry foods like crackers or toast, or soften them with liquids before eating.

— Use sugar-free candy and gum, but avoid acidic candies such as lemon drops.

— Do not smoke.

— Apply lip balm throughout the day and before going to bed.

— Run a cool-air humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep.

— Sleep on your side to help avoid breathing through your mouth.

— Avoid foods that are highly salted or acidic.

— Brush your teeth after every meal and snack.

Talk with your physician or dentist about these and other ways to treat dry mouth. Although a cure-all may not be on the horizon, a combination of medication and lifestyle adjustments can make living with this condition easier.

— Phillip Sheridan, M.D., Dental Specialties, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Additional Resources:
Dental Specialties
Appointment Information
More Information on Dry Mouth

READERS: Optimism — whether it comes naturally or is learned — is good for you.

Not only do happy people live longer than curmudgeons, but they also lead healthier lives. Researchers at Mayo Clinic reviewed the records of people who completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory in the early 1960s. Three decades later, they found that pessimists, as compared to optimists, had an increased risk of death. The more pessimistic the personality, the greater the risk. In a follow-up study, optimistic people had better health in all areas.

If you’re not naturally a glass-half-full person, you may be able to learn to be more optimistic — and improve your health. Here are some suggestions for becoming more optimistic:

— Stop negative self talk. When you catch yourself thinking that you won’t enjoy an event or do well on a project, stop the thought. Instead, identify the positives in the situation.

— If you’re irritated with your spouse or partner, think back to those qualities that you found so attractive when you fell in love. Keep those qualities in the front of your mind.

— Find joy in your work. No matter what kind of job it is, find some aspect that’s personally satisfying.

— Surround yourself with positive, upbeat people.

— Deal with situations that you can control, and try to accept those you can’t.

— Put things in perspective. Life may take you on difficult paths. Try to find the adventure. A bump in the road is only temporary.

— Each day, write down three positive things that happened that day as well as speculations about why those good things happened.

Additional Resources:
Optimism
More Information on Optimism

- - -
Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. To e-mail a question, go to www.mayoclinic.org, or write: Medical Edge from Mayo Clinic, c/o TMS, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, N.Y., 14207. For health information, visit www.mayoclinic.com.