The Relationship Between Alcohol and Dry Mouth

“Dry January” is an annual initiative where people commit to abstaining from alcohol for the entire month of January. It began in the UK and has gained traction as a popular way to start the New Year with good habits. Many people who practice Dry January notice various health improvements in their lives, including improved dry mouth symptoms. This is because alcohol consumption and dry mouth are inherently related. 

 

Let’s see why. 

 

Understanding Dry Mouth

Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health, as it helps to wash away food particles, neutralize acids, and protect against harmful bacteria. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a condition when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva, and it can be the result of any number of reasons, including disease, cancer treatment, medication, and more. 

 

When saliva production decreases, the mouth becomes vulnerable to a wide range of oral health issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, a change in taste/lack of taste, and difficulty chewing, swallowing, and talking. 

 

What Does Alcohol Have to Do with Dry Mouth?

Alcohol is a diuretic, a substance that increases urine production and accelerates the loss of fluids from the body. When alcohol is consumed, it suppresses the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is responsible for helping the kidneys retain water. 

 

As the body becomes dehydrated, there is less water available for essential processes, including the production of saliva. When there isn’t enough fluid for saliva production, the salivary glands simply slow down their production or cease functioning properly, producing very little saliva/no saliva, or saliva with an abnormal composition — both of which lead to a sensation of dry mouth.

 

In addition to its dehydrating effects, alcohol can reduce the salivary flow rate and cause changes in saliva composition and morphological and enzymatic activity . This can lead to a decrease in the natural lubrication of the mouth, resulting in the uncomfortable sensation of dryness. Chronic alcohol consumption can exacerbate these symptoms.

 

The extent of dehydration and its impact on oral health vary depending on the type and quantity of alcohol consumed. For example, beer and wine, which contain higher water content than spirits, might cause less severe dehydration compared to high-proof liquor. 

 

However, even alcoholic drinks with higher water content can contribute to dehydration, particularly when consumed in large amounts. Therefore, it’s important to balance alcohol consumption with hydration to prevent the negative effects of dry mouth (not to mention overall health).

 

Benefits of Abstaining from Alcohol During Dry January

The idea of Dry January is to start the New Year with good habits, especially following the Holidays and New Year, when people tend to indulge with alcohol. Abstaining from alcohol, on the other hand, offers numerous benefits for oral health and overall well-being. 

 

One significant advantage is improved hydration, which is crucial for proper saliva production. By refraining from drinking, the body can maintain better hydration levels, promoting a healthier oral environment and alleviating the symptoms of dry mouth.

 

Additionally, as alcohol can impair the quality and quantity of saliva production, taking a break gives your salivary glands the opportunity for optimal production. Healthier salivary function, in turn, can result in a decrease in the oral discomfort that so often accompanies dry mouth, along with a decreased risk of cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. 

 

Abstaining from alcohol can also lead to numerous general health benefits, including improved liver function, sleep quality, cardiovascular health, blood pressure, weight maintenance, and mental health. 

 

It’s Not Only Alcohol That Causes of Dry Mouth

Alcohol consumption may exacerbate dry mouth symptoms, but it’s usually a secondary cause. 

 

Primary causes of dry mouth include:

• Medications: Hundreds of medications for different conditions list dry mouth as a side effect
• Treatment for head and neck cancers: Radiation treatment and chemotherapy for cancers in the head and neck regions can damage the salivary glands and cause dry mouth. 
• Disease: Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic immune disorder that causes both dry eyes and dry mouth, while diabetes, an autoimmune disease, is often linked with dry mouth.
• Mood disorders: Depression, stress, and anxiety may interfere with normal saliva flow due to physiological responses triggered by the body’s stress mechanisms.

 

Understanding the root cause of dry mouth is crucial for effective treatment. 

 

Dry Mouth Treatments 

There are different levels of dry mouth: Some experience severe symptoms, such as trouble eating and speaking, rampant dental caries, and dry, cracked, burning tongue and lips. Others experience the condition with lighter symptoms, such as a persistent feeling of thirst. Different symptoms require different treatments. For less severe symptoms, lifestyle changes may be enough. These include:

 

• Hydration strategies: Drinking water, herbal teas, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine.
• Oral care: Maintaining good oral hygiene, using a humidifier at night, and regular dental check-ups.

 

People with severe symptoms should practice the above, but will likely need more interventive dry mouth treatment, such as:

 

• Saliva stimulants: Medication and electrostimulation are designed to stimulate the body’s natural saliva production. 
• Artificial saliva: OTC products like lozenges, gum, sprays, and gels provide temporary relief in the form of artificial saliva.

 

In summary, abstaining from alcohol is a great start to lessen dry mouth symptoms, but often, more comprehensive dry mouth treatments are necessary. 

 

Whichever treatment(s) one chooses, they should do so under the supervision of a medical professional who can offer guidance and support. Dry mouth treatment is not necessarily black and white — it can take a combination of methods and correct dosages to achieve the desired results, without any undesired side effects. 

 

FAQS

How are alcohol and dry mouth related?

Alcohol is a diuretic that causes the body to excrete a lot of fluids and become dehydrated, which doesn’t leave enough fluid for saliva production. Additionally, the very makeup of alcohol can cause changes in saliva flow rates, composition, and activity, all of which contribute to dry mouth. 

 

Does all alcohol lead to loss of fluids?

All alcoholic drinks can contribute to dehydration, especially when consumed in large amounts. However, alcoholic drinks with higher water content, such as beer and wine, may cause less severe dehydration compared to high-proof liquor.

 

In a healthy person, drinking a small amount of alcohol every now and then should not impact saliva production. Drinking a large amount of alcohol one time may lead to dehydration, but if not repeated, dry mouth symptoms should go away once the body is properly hydrated.

 

Is abstaining from alcohol enough to cure dry mouth?

If only it were that easy! Abstaining from alcohol is not a “cure,” for dry mouth, though it can certainly lessen the severity of the symptoms. There are no miracle cures for dry mouth, though there are several effective treatment options, including electrostimulation via the SaliPen.

 

Do I need to go to the doctor to use the SaliPen?

No! While you should consult with a doctor before using it, the SaliPen is designed for individual use and can be used easily at home. 

 

Should I use the SaliPen with other dry mouth treatments?

Consult with your doctor about achieving the most effective results with the SaliPen, which may include supplemental dry mouth treatments such as artificial saliva. Lifestyle changes, along with SaliPen usage can also result in optimal results. These include cutting down on alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, using a humidifier at night, and drinking lots of water. 

 

Where can I buy the SaliPen?

You can purchase the SaliPen here.