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What Causes Dryness In Mouth And Blood In Saliva?

Posted on Thu, 27 Nov 2014

Question: My father feels dry mouth during sleep at night. When he goes bath room to spit, He found small amount of red blood cells in his saliva. What causes this? Is this a serious problem?

He has no any other bad feels besides dry mouth when he sleeps.

He only found the little blood in his sliva during night time. He did not find blood cells in his saliva in day time.

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Dryness, stones, gum infection, scaling,

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your query, I have gone through your query.
As far as the dryness in the mouth is considered during sleep is quite normal. It is bacause of the lack of salivary secretion during sleep since there will not be any stimulus for salivary secretion unlike during day time. The other possible cause can be secondary to stone in the salivary gland or ducts. Nothing to be panic, if the dryness is too much you can use artificial salivary substitute like carboxy methyl cellulose(wet mouth gel), this can be applied over the cheek region that stimulates and produces saliva.
But you need to consult a oral physician and take a opinion to rule out any other problems like stones in the salivary glands.
Regarding the blood in the saliva, it can be because of the gum infection secondary to the deposits over the teeth, nothing to be serious, consult a oral physician and get the teeth cleaned (scaling)and maintain the oral hygiene.
I hope my answer will help you, take care.
If any queries are there, reply me back.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (21 hours later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Thank you so much for your help. Can I get carboxy methyl cellulose over the counter in CVS? Can my father try it first to see if it works? If does not work, he then will see a physician.

If the cause is stones in the salivary glands, will he has to do operation to get ride of the stones? Does he has to see a doctor right away, or he can see a doctor after a month or two?

Thank you so much in advance,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
carboxy methyl cellulose, surgery

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feed back.
You can use carboxy methyl cellulose in cardiac patients also. Since it is used as topical application it will not cause any adverse effects. It is available in gel or solution form.You have to apply it on the inner aspect of cheek. Let him consume more water and keep sipping water.
Regarding the stone, it has to be removed if it is present. You can get it removed after a month also. It is not an emergency issue. But if he develops pain and swelling, then take him to oral phyaician and get it evaluated.
I hope my answer will help you. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (1 hour later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Thank you so much for your note. It is really great help.

I will buy some of the carboxy methyl cellulose and let my father try it. The other thing I forgot to mention in my previous note is that my father feels dry tongue at the same time when he feels dry mouth. Does this change your diagnosis results?

Thank you so much again,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Mahesh Kumar T S (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
reduced salivary secretion carboxymethyl cellulose

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your reply.
The dryness in the tongue is secondary to reduced salivary secretion. Try the topical carboxy methyl cellulose, If it is not subsiding then consult a oral physician and get yourself evaluated completely.
I hope my answer will be helpful. Take care.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju