Strange Sensation, Dry & Numb

[Mr_Donkey]

I sometimes, often more than once daily, get a strange sensation in my mouth. It feels as if it becomes very dry, but it does not, and my teeth feel numb. This happens a lot while I am eating and becomes so severe that I cannot taste, and I sometimes have to spit out what I am eating. It is not painful, but very unpleasant. I sometimes wake during the night to this sensation and have to spit because it feels like a mouth full of hair or cotton. It freaks me out. This began about 4 years ago and has worsened, spreading from just the top teeth on the left side to the entire left side of my mouth. I have a small, painless lump on the inside of my lower gums, but the feeling seems not to originate from there.

Are these symptoms for a known condition? Does anybody else experience these symptoms? Could it be nerve damage from a short period of heavy drinking?

I have no insurance, so I'm trying to at least narrow this down to some things I can research and be ready to ask the right questions to a doctor... so to get my money's worth.

[scottma]

Assuming your past medical history is non-contributory. Your presentations are known as dysesthesia, in which condition peripheral or central nerve dysfunction is implicated. You mentioned that certain drugs can suppress dysesthesia, if these drugs are antidepressants or anticonvulsants, neural dysfunction is likely to be a significant factor. Seeing a neurologist or orofacial pain specialist is advised.

[Mr_Donkey]

It's not actually dry, just feels dry. I can feel that there is still saliva with my finger, but I feel like I have a mouth full of hair or cotton. This only happens for about 10 seconds at a time and then goes away. It is definitely not the same as dry mouth or "cotton-mouth" cause by drugs. This does not happen while drinking or taking drugs... certain drugs, and drinking (not simultaneously), actually suppress this sensation.

It's just a sensation of dryness, not actually a lack of saliva. Hard to describe, but I react to it like I would to a severe pain, but it doesn't hurt. I cringe and freeze up. It's horrid, as the feeling of slamming a finger in a car door, but without the pain, and in my mouth. I would rather squeeze Bott Fly larvae out of my face than feel this!

Does anyone feel me here? There must be somebody, somewhere, that has experienced something like this.............dry mouth, but not dry - - - horrid and freakish feeling!?!?

[StratRebel]

Dry mouth can be caused by a number of things from medications, to systemic problems, even heavy drinking.  If the lump has been there for more than 2 weeks, it would be a very good idea to have it evaluated.

I would suggest finding an oral pathologist.  Often they are associated with dental schools and as such would not charge much if going through the school program.  Other than that, oral surgeons usually have lots of experience with lumps and bumps.  They may also be able to find a link to your dry mouth.  Once you have a cause, you can go to a general dentist to get some preventive help (dry mouth eventually causes multiple dental problems).

One product you might try until then for your dry mouth is Biotene or Oasis rinses, which act as a saliva substitute.