Summary
Does xerostomia mean something to you? The term pasty mouth is probably more familiar to you. This feeling of dry mouth , with thick saliva and rough tongue, affects our daily lives. According to a study , around 22% of adults suffer from it.
Saliva is essential for our oral health : it helps prevent cavities, promotes digestion and maintains fresh breath . As soon as it runs out, inconveniences appear, even complications. Let's understand the causes to get rid of them!
Pasty mouth: what is it?
A pasty mouth is sticky , thick , with viscous saliva , not to be confused with a dry mouth , which lacks saliva and makes swallowing and speaking difficult. 🤢
To understand the difference, keep in mind that a dry mouth is often due to dehydration , certain medications, strenuous physical exertion, or salivary gland disorders. A pasty mouth gives a feeling of heaviness, often caused by poor oral hygiene , gastric reflux, infections, or excessive consumption of tobacco and/or alcohol. In both cases, it is unpleasant and requires identifying the cause in order to act.
Why do I have a pasty mouth? Common causes
It's a bit like everything, a problem can arise from several specific causes. Let's take stock of the main ones to consider.
Physiological causes
Dehydration 💧: insufficient water intake reduces saliva production, which inevitably causes dryness or even thick saliva. And there are multiple reasons: intense physical activity, excessive heat ( can you imagine the state of a mouth after a 25km run in the sun? ), or simply forgetting to drink enough.
Alcohol and tobacco : the stars of the pasty mouth. We also like to include them in our list of enemies to eliminate. Because yes, alcoholic beverages dehydrate and disrupt saliva production. Tobacco irritates the mucous membranes and limits their ability to produce fluid saliva. 🍷🚬
Certain medications : Taking treatment, such as an antihistamine, antidepressant or blood pressure medication for example, can sometimes be problematic. And this, by the reduction in salivary flow that they cause. A side effect that we could certainly do without. This document from the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association also explores the relationship between medication and dryness.
Medical causes
Dry Mouth Syndrome : Xerostomia is a condition that reduces saliva production, making the mouth dry. If it is frequent, it must be treated because it promotes cavities, bad breath and instability of dental prostheses. 🤕
You can enrich your knowledge about xerostomia via this manual produced by MSD .Underlying diseases :
Diabetes : being faced with high blood sugar levels can lead to dehydration of the mouth, and therefore affect the production of our saliva.
Sleep apnea : If you suffer from it, you breathe mainly through your mouth at night. And therefore inevitably, it causes severe dryness when you wake up. 😴
External factors
Stress or anxiety : it is often said that our mental health influences our physical health. And yes, stress increases cortisol, the “stress hormone”, altering saliva and its protective role.
Food : certain foods, particularly rich in salt or acids (hello 🍟), can worsen dry mouth. This is also the case for tea and coffee, known for their drying power.
What are the symptoms of a pasty mouth?
Dry or rough tongue : you feel roughness or dryness on the tongue. Sometimes, an unpleasant whitish deposit can even appear.
Sticky or thick saliva : it becomes viscous and sticky, making swallowing difficult and speech less fluid.
Bad breath (halitosis) : Also known as halitosis, less saliva produced encourages the proliferation of bacteria. Ultimately, your breath is less fresh, and your neighbor is the first victim.
Dry throat feeling 🌵: Do you feel dryness or irritation in your throat? Especially when swallowing or speaking? It is also a symptom of pasty mouth.
All of these symptoms send you the same message: your mouth isn't producing enough saliva. Its natural functions are therefore not respected.
How to prevent and treat a pasty mouth? Our solutions and advice
Tip 1: Have appropriate hydration
We necessarily start with the obvious: drink in sufficient quantities. Also choose foods rich in water such as cucumber, watermelon or citrus fruits.
Tip 2: Improve your oral hygiene 🪥
It’s also obvious to us, but you never know. Brushing your teeth AND tongue every day is essential. Also use mouthwashes without alcohol or with infusions , such as chamomile or mint.
Tip 3: Change your diet
We limit salt and refined sugar, we reduce acidity and spices and your oral health will be better. It is also advisable to favor products rich in water and fiber, such as green vegetables, berries or melons.
Tip 4: Avoid irritants 🚭
Alcohol + tobacco + coffee = happiness for dry mouth . Limiting their consumption can make a big difference. We're sure partygoers will realize this on Sunday morning...
In short, these simple habits can quickly improve your comfort and prevent the unpleasant sensations of a pasty mouth .
When to consult a doctor? 🚨
This disease is certainly often benign, but certain signals can lead us to call a doctor. Because behind this symptom may hide more serious problems requiring appropriate treatment.
Signs that should alert
Persistence of the problem : despite good oral hygiene, or even adjustments to your habits, does this feeling of dry mouth persist or get worse? In this case, head to the doctor for real personalized advice.
Recurrent oral infections : your oral health is put to the test, you suffer from gum disease or repeated fungal infections . Your alarm signal is therefore more than red, it is time to consult.
Difficulty swallowing or speaking : This constant feeling of dry throat makes it difficult to swallow comfortably. This may be a reflection of more complex disorders.
Pain or lesions : if you notice the appearance of sores , ulcers or burning sensations , you are facing a worrying symptom. It's time for a medical consultation to have a thorough examination.
Diagnosis and possible tests
Depending on the level of dry mouth, your dentist or dentist will carry out a clinical examination with a view to directing you towards additional and specific tests. We are thinking in particular of:
Measuring salivary flow : it allows you to assess the level of production of your saliva, whether it is insufficient or correct.
Blood test : a little prick as we like them will check the presence or absence of underlying diseases (diabetes for example).
Examination of the salivary glands : useful to identify possible dysfunction or a more serious infection.
Conclusion
Although a pasty mouth is unpleasant, it is not inevitable. By identifying its causes and adopting simple habits, we can prevent and relieve it. In case of prolonged discomfort, consult! Your oral health is essential to your well-being, take care of it. 😊
This article does not replace medical advice. If your symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional.
