Five Reasons Young People Suffer From Xerostomia

Xerostomia, the clinical term for dry mouth, is often associated with the 65+ population, but young people can experience it as well. 

Why would a young person suffer from what is typically an older person’s affliction? Here we’ll discuss the relationship between xerostomia and aging, why dry mouth can affect younger people, and the five main reasons they experience dry mouth. 

Xerostomia in the Elderly

According to a recent article published in Scientific Reports, xerostomia affects about 30% of adults aged 65+ and 40% of adults 80+ years. Many studies have explored whether xerostomia is due to the aging process itself, or whether it’s a byproduct of common phenomena that occur as one ages. 

For example, medications, head and neck cancer treatment, and diabetes are associated with dry mouth. These are also more common in the 65+ population. Therefore, it’s inconclusive that aging itself causes dry mouth. Rather, it seems that the side effects of aging are what causes it. Which is why it doesn’t occur in the entire 65+ population, but rather in 30% of it. 

Five Reasons Young People Experience Xerostomia

As xerostomia is not caused by aging itself, but by various conditions or lifestyle, young people also experience it. There are five main reasons why young people experience dry mouth. 

• Medication side effects and polypharmacy

Medication is arguably the most common cause of dry mouth, both in young and older people. Over 1,100 medications potentially cause dry mouth, including antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and anxiety medications. 

In addition to standalone medications that cause dry mouth, multiple studies have shown that polypharmacy — taking two or more medications simultaneously — significantly increases the risk of xerostomia. Polypharmacy, like dry mouth, is typically associated with older people. In fact, Time reported this year that about four of every 10 older adults take five or more medications, three times the rate of 20 years ago. Two out of 10 seniors take 10+ medications. 

While polypharmacy is increasing among the elderly, it’s also being seen more in the younger population. Healthline reported that since 2020, antidepressant prescriptions for young adults and teens has increased by nearly 64%. The New York Times highlighted a study that found a 9.5% increase in the prevalence of polypharmacy in a group of young people between 2015 and 2020, specifically related to psychiatric drugs, many of which cause dry mouth. 

As medication use and polypharmacy become more prevalent in younger people, so does dry mouth.

• Stress and anxiety

High levels of stress and anxiety can cause dry mouth in young people, which can playout in several ways:

• Physically, high levels of stress can trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response, which in turn can reduce saliva production. Usually, fight-or-flight is temporary, but people who are under continual stress will experience side effects more often. 
• Chronic stress can lead to anxiety-induced behaviors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and increasing caffeine intake, all of which exacerbate xerostomia symptoms. 
• Young people who experience chronic stress and anxiety will likely be prescribed medication, a common cause of xerostomia (see #1 above).

• Lifestyle and diet

Young people who don’t experience stress and anxiety might still engage in lifestyle behaviors that are linked to dry mouth. Nicotine products, caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs are associated with dry mouth as they dry the oral mucosal surfaces and reduce saliva production. These habits also increase the risk of gum disease and other oral health issues, which heighten the risk and severity of dry mouth. 

Certain diets are also associated with dry mouth, including those high in sugar and acidic food intake. These types of foods increase the risk of tooth decay, which is already a risk of dry mouth. Young people who follow restrictive diets or have excessively unhealthy diets inadvertently place themselves at a higher risk for exacerbated dry mouth symptoms.

• Autoimmune disorders

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that is well-known for causing dry mouth and dry eyes. It’s typically diagnosed above the age of 40, but early onset can appear as early as age 20.

Other autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can also affect salivary gland function or the body’s fluid balance, which, in turn, can cause dry mouth. Young people with a family history of autoimmune disorders should speak to their doctors about recognizing the symptoms and early intervention options. 

• Head and neck cancer treatments

According to the American Cancer Society, thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers in people between the ages of 20 and 39 as well as the most common cancer in women between the ages of 15 and 30. Additionally, head and neck squamous carcinoma has become more common in younger people 

Cancers in the head and neck regions, on their own, can damage the salivary glands and cause xerostomia — but so can their treatments. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy, used to treat head and neck cancer, can also damage the salivary glands and lead to persistent dry mouth. 

When to Seek Medical Help

Young people who experience dry mouth may chalk it up to dehydration or being tired. This may be true if the dry mouth happens once in a while. But persistent dry mouth can be a sign of a more serious condition, and medical attention should be sought. As young people, and their relatively young parents, may not know what dry mouth symptoms to look out for, medical professionals, especially dentists, should do routine checkups that include oral health surveys.  

FAQS

Is dry mouth an “old person” disease?

While dry mouth is more common among the elderly, more young people today are experiencing it, due to a variety of reasons. 

What causes dry mouth in young people?

Most of the things that cause dry mouth in young people are the same that cause them in older people. Taking medications, and multiple medications, autoimmune disease, lifestyle, anxiety, and head and neck cancers are common causes of xerostomia in both the young and old populations.

What dry mouth treatments are available?

Electrostimulation via the SaliPen, medications designed to combat dry mouth, and saliva substitutes are the most common dry mouth treatment. However, treatments are prescribed on a highly individual basis, often based on the cause of dry mouth, which makes it crucial for patients to discuss underlying conditions and options with their healthcare providers. 

Is electrostimulation for dry mouth safe?

Electrostimulation, when performed with the SaliPen, is not only safe but it’s FDA-approved. The small SaliPen device delivers painless electrical impulses to the mouth that stimulate the salivary glands to produce more natural saliva. It can be done at home by patients, with no prescription necessary. As with all OTC products, people who use the SaliPen should inform their healthcare providers so they have a complete picture of their health and treatment plan. 

Do I need to treat xerostomia?

Xerostomia isn’t life threatening but its symptoms can make daily life extremely painful. So while you don’t have to seek out xerostomia treatment, most people want to. 

Where can I buy the SaliPen?

You can buy the SaliPen here.