Artificial Saliva

Overview

Artificial saliva is a group of products made to moisten your mouth when your own saliva is low. Saliva is the natural fluid that keeps your mouth wet, helps you chew and swallow, protects your teeth, and makes talking comfortable. Artificial saliva does not cure the cause of a dry mouth, but it can ease dryness and help protect your mouth.

Dry mouth is common, especially in older adults and in people who take several medicines. Many people use artificial saliva products to make their mouth feel more comfortable.

It can affect anyone with a dry mouth. This includes people taking certain medicines, people with conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome or diabetes, people having cancer treatment, mouth breathers, smokers, and older adults.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
• Frequent thirst, especially at night
• Trouble chewing, swallowing, or speaking comfortably
• A sore mouth, cracked lips, or sores at the corners of the mouth
• Bad breath or a changed sense of taste
• More tooth decay or gum problems than usual

Symptoms in children

• Not complaining of thirst but avoiding dry foods or eating less
• Trouble swallowing dry foods or taking medicines
• Mouth breathing, cracked lips, or a dry-looking mouth
• More cavities or mouth infections than expected
• Fussiness at meals or trouble sleeping because of mouth comfort

Symptoms in older adults

• Dry mouth made worse by multiple medicines or long-term health conditions
• Dentures that feel loose, rub, or cause sores
• Trouble swallowing pills or dry foods
• Higher risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and mouth infections
• A dry mouth that affects sleep, speech, or appetite

Causes

Main causes

• Medicines: some medicines for allergies, depression, blood pressure, pain, and bladder problems can reduce saliva.
• Health conditions: Sjögren's syndrome (an immune condition that dries the eyes and mouth), diabetes, thyroid problems, anxiety, and blocked salivary glands.
• Cancer treatment: especially radiation to the head and neck, and some chemotherapy.
• Nerve damage, mouth breathing, smoking, dehydration, and aging.

Risk factors

• Taking several medicines, especially in older age
• Having an autoimmune condition such as Sjögren's syndrome
• Having diabetes, thyroid problems, or anxiety
• Past or current cancer treatment to the head and neck
• Smoking, drinking a lot of alcohol or caffeine, or not drinking enough water
• Breathing through your mouth, especially at night

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• You cannot swallow liquids or are choking when you try to swallow
• You have a fever with swelling or severe pain in your mouth, face, or neck
• You have signs of a severe allergic reaction after using a product, such as swelling, rash, or trouble breathing
• You feel very confused, very sleepy, or have not passed urine, which can be signs of serious dehydration

Book a routine appointment if:

• Dry mouth lasts more than a few days or keeps coming back
• Dry mouth makes it hard to eat, speak, sleep, or wear dentures
• You have dry eyes, joint pain, or other symptoms that could point to an underlying condition
• You get frequent cavities, gum problems, or mouth infections
• Artificial saliva and self-care are not helping enough

Diagnosis

Your doctor or dentist will ask about your symptoms, medicines, and health history, and look inside your mouth. They may check how much saliva you make and order tests for underlying causes. Often the cause can be found or managed without complex tests.

Tests that may be done

• Review of your medicines and health history
• A mouth exam to look for dryness, sores, and tooth or gum problems
• A saliva flow test, where you spit into a container for a set time
• Blood tests to look for conditions such as diabetes or immune problems
• Eye or salivary gland tests if a specialist thinks an immune condition is likely

What to expect at your appointment

Most people do not need a hospital visit. Your GP or dentist can often start the assessment. If a specialist is needed, they may arrange more tests, but these are usually simple and can be explained step by step.

Treatment

Treatment aims to relieve dryness, protect your teeth and mouth, and deal with any cause. Artificial saliva products are one part of care. Self-care and regular dental visits matter just as much.

Self-care at home

• Sip water often through the day and keep water by your bed
• Use artificial saliva spray, gel, lozenge, or rinse as directed by your pharmacist or dentist
• Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free lozenges to encourage saliva
• Use a humidifier at night if the air is dry
• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks
• Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol
• Brush your teeth twice a day and clean between your teeth daily
• Use lip balm for cracked lips and see your dentist regularly

Medical treatments

Your GP, dentist, or pharmacist can suggest saliva substitutes in the form of sprays, gels, lozenges, or rinses. If a medicine is causing the problem, your doctor may review it. For some people, a specialist may prescribe medicine that helps the salivary glands make more saliva. Always ask a healthcare professional before trying new products, especially if you take other medicines or have allergies.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not usually part of treatment for a dry mouth. It may be considered only for a specific underlying cause, such as a blocked salivary duct, and would be discussed by a specialist.

Living with this condition

Keep water nearby, sip often, and use artificial saliva before meals or talking if it helps. Carry a product with you and keep a spare at home or work. Plan regular dental checks so small problems are caught early.

Lifestyle tips

• Do not smoke, and avoid smoky places
• Limit alcohol and caffeine
• Drink water before, during, and after exercise
• Use a soft toothbrush and gentle, alcohol-free mouth care
• Keep up with dental visits, even if your mouth feels fine

Diet and exercise

Drink water through the day. Limit sugary drinks and snacks, caffeine, and alcohol. Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free lozenges to help saliva flow. Exercise is fine; drink water before and after, and take a water bottle with you.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Dry mouth can be frustrating and may affect sleep, speech, eating out, and confidence. These feelings are real. If worry or low mood is building, talk to your GP. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, call your local emergency number or a crisis support line right away.

Prevention

Not all cases can be prevented. You can lower your risk by drinking enough water, limiting alcohol and caffeine, not smoking, and asking your doctor to review medicines that dry your mouth. Good oral care helps prevent damage.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine for dry mouth.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for dry mouth. Your dentist can check your mouth at regular visits and spot early problems.

Complications

If left untreated

• Tooth decay and gum disease
• Mouth infections, such as thrush (a fungal infection)
• Difficulty eating, speaking, and swallowing
• Poor nutrition and weight loss
• Sleep problems and cracks or sores at the corners of the mouth

Long-term outlook

With self-care, dental care, and treatment of any cause, most people can keep their mouth comfortable and protect their teeth. Artificial saliva is a support, not a cure, and it can make daily life easier.

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