Why Dentists Are an Underutilized Source for the Best Xerostomia Remedies

May 22, 2025 | Aging / Dry Mouth / Oral Health / SaliPen® / Saliva / Salivary Glands / Xerostomia

Are routine dental checkups really that important?

 

In a word, yes!

 

May is National Dental Care Month in the US, a month designated to focus on the importance of oral health in our overall well-being. As part of a comprehensive dental care plan, regular dentist visits are important; dentists are often the first healthcare professionals to encounter and diagnose a variety of oral health issues, especially xerostomia (also known as dry mouth). 

 

In fact, not only do dentists often act as early detectors of xerostomia, but due to their training and experience, they offer a wealth of knowledge and information when it comes to the best xerostomia remedies. 

 

Let’s take a closer look at what xerostomia is, the role dentists play in diagnosis and why it’s important, and current dry mouth therapy options. 

 

Dry Mouth: Prevalence, Symptoms, and Causes

The number of people with xerostomia in the US ranges between 10% and 33%. There is a higher prevalence of the condition among the elderly and those with chronic diseases, although today, due to a variety of factors, more young people are experiencing it. 

 

Xerostomia occurs when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva, which can result in multiple symptoms, including a sticky, dry, or burning feeling in the mouth, cracked lips, frequent thirst, mouth sores, increased cavities, difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, and more. 

 

Xerostomia is most commonly caused by the following: 

  • Medication: Hundreds of medications list xerostomia as a potential side effect, including antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers, and antidepressants.
  • Medical conditions: Diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s can cause dry mouth.
  • Cancer therapy: Radiation for cancer in the head and neck regions and chemotherapy can damage salivary glands and render them incapable of producing sufficient saliva (or saliva of the right consistency).
  • Lifestyle factors: Smoking, alcohol consumption, mouth breathing, and dehydration are not primary causes of dry mouth, but they can exacerbate symptoms.

Dentists: The First Line of Defense Against Dry Mouth

Relatively healthy people might not recognize that dry mouth is a serious medical condition that won’t go away without intervention. They might chalk up increased thirst and other symptoms to dehydration, too much exercise, or aging. Therefore, they may not know they should seek medical attention. 

 

However, if they schedule routine dental checkups, their dentist is likely to identify the signs of dry mouth. 

 

Dentists are trained to recognize the symptoms of dry mouth: increased plaque, tooth decay, gum disease, trouble wearing dentures, and a dry or grooved tongue — all of which may indicate a reduced saliva flow. 

 

To effectively diagnose dry mouth, dentists will often ask patients several questions, including:

 

  • What medications do you take?
  • Do you have any medical conditions?
  • Have you ever undergone treatment for head or neck cancer?
  • Do you smoke?

Sometimes, dentists may request testing to confirm the diagnosis. Dry mouth testing can include imaging scans of the salivary glands, saliva measurement tests, or biopsy.

Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, it’s essential to seek out effective xerostomia remedies. Not only will these remedies alleviate painful and uncomfortable oral symptoms, but they will prevent further deterioration of oral health, such as rampant cavities, gum disease, mouth sores, and tooth decay.   

The Best Xerostomia Remedies

Managing dry mouth often involves a combination of treatments tailored to the individual’s needs. Dentists are likely to recommend one or more of the following most common dry mouth treatments: 

  • Electrostimulation: Intraoral electrostimulation devices like the SaliPen use mild electrical stimulation to activate the salivary glands, increasing saliva production naturally without significant side effects. The SaliPen is FDA-approved and offers a cost-effective solution compared to long-term medication use.
  • Prescription medications: Drugs such as pilocarpine (Salagen) and cevimeline (Evoxac) stimulate saliva production. However, they may have side effects like sweating and should be used under medical supervision.
  • Artificial saliva: Over-the-counter (OTC) saliva substitutes can provide temporary relief by moistening the mouth. (They don’t, however, address the root cause of the condition: malfunctioning salivary glands.)

Oral Hygiene Practices to Mitigate Dry Mouth Symptoms

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for anyone with dry mouth. There are three prongs of basic oral hygiene:

  • Regular brushing and flossing: Brushing at least twice a day and daily flossing can remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.
  • Mouthwash: Alcohol-free mouthwashes avoid further drying of the mouth.
  • Routine dental visits: Routine check-ups allow for early detection and management of dry mouth and other oral health issues. 

 

Lifestyle Habits to Complement Dry Mouth Treatment

Clinical dry mouth usually requires medical intervention, whether via electrostimulation, medication, or symptom relief. However, incorporating certain lifestyle habits can boost the efficacy of whatever dry mouth treatment is in use. 

 

Habits that complement dry mouth treatment include:

  • Staying hydrated: Drinking water regularly throughout the day to keep the mouth moist.
  • Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine products: These can contribute to mouth dryness.
  • Using a humidifier at night: Adding moisture to the air can help keep the mouth and throat from drying out, especially during sleep.

Utilizing All Possible Medical Resources to Achieve Effective Dry Mouth Treatment

There are two major takeaways we hope you gained from reading this article:

  • Routine dental checkups are crucial for oral health maintenance AND diagnosis of xerostomia.
  • As healthcare professionals who encounter many types of oral health challenges on a daily basis, dentists are a valuable resource for helping you find the best xerostomia remedies.

 

May might be National Dental Care Month in the US, but good oral hygiene should be practiced year-round. And if you’re not sure how often you should be scheduling routine dental checkups, ask your dentist! The answer varies by individual. 

 

FAQS

How are dentists involved in dry mouth treatment?

Dentists are often the first healthcare professionals to identify dry mouth symptoms, especially for relatively healthy people who schedule regular dental checkups. 

 

Dentists are trained to recognize the symptoms of dry mouth and can soundly identify increased plaque, tooth decay, gum disease, trouble wearing dentures, and a dry or grooved tongue, all of which may indicate a reduced saliva flow. 

 

What causes dry mouth?
Dry mouth can result from various factors, but the most common include medication side effects, medical conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome, cancer treatments, and injury.

 

What are the most effective options for natural dry mouth relief?
When dealing with xerostomia, aka clinical dry mouth, natural dry mouth treatments won’t usually be enough to relieve severe symptoms. However, natural methods combined with medical intervention typically prove effective. Natural dry mouth relief methods include drinking a lot of water, avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, breathing through your nose (as opposed to your mouth), and using a humidifier.

 

When should I see a dentist about dry mouth?
If you experience persistent dry mouth symptoms, consult a dentist as soon as possible. A dentist should be able to identify dry mouth symptoms and recommend appropriate treatments.

 

Is dry mouth treatable?

Yes, dry mouth is treatable at both the causal and symptomatic levels. The best xerostomia remedies that target the root of the condition — the salivary glands — are electrostimulation devices like SaliPen and prescription medications. Stimulating the salivary glands to produce more (high-quality saliva) has proven to relieve dry mouth symptoms. 

 

Symptomatic treatments seek to alleviate only dry mouth symptoms but don’t reach the salivary glands. This type of treatment typically includes OTC mouthwash, oral sprays and gels, and sugar-free gum.