The Effect of Dry Mouth on Swallowing

The mouth produces saliva for a number of reasons. It protects teeth, aids in eating and drinking and allows people to talk. Dry mouth effects all of these abilities, including a person's capacity to swallow.

Identification

• Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, occurs when there is not enough saliva produced in the mouth. This can happen for a number of reasons, including nervousness, stress or a disease that effects the salivary glands.

Effects

• A person with dry mouth has a hard time swallowing. Saliva is an important part of getting food and drinks down the esophagus.

Importance

• In addition to swallowing, saliva also helps a person chew food and absorb nutrients that are important for the body.

Considerations

• Not being able to swallow can lead to other health problems like eating disorders and digestive tract trouble. The body cannot get the proper amounts of protein, fats, vitamins and other nutritional elements if food can't be swallowed.

Solutions

• To make swallowing easier with dry mouth, it is a good idea to sip water or some other sugarless beverage during meals. This helps keep the mouth lubricated. Also, avoid drinks with caffeine like coffee, tea and soda because caffeine dries out the mouth.