Dry Mouth

What is dry mouth

A dry mouth is identified as a lack of saliva or moisture in the mouth, causing the teeth, cheeks and tongue to catch on. A dry mouth can be uncomfortable and cause difficulty with everyday functions like talking and speaking, so it is important to make an appointment with your dentist if this is something you’re experiencing.

What causes dry mouth

Dry mouth is caused by the following:

• Medications can cause the mouth the dry, it’s important to check the leaflet that contains the list of side effects when using medications.
• Oral thrush can present the symptoms of a dry mouth.
• Dehydration can cause the mouth to stop producing saliva, a lack of water or excessive sweating can contribute to dehydration.
• Anxiety can cause a dry mouth, though this typically does not last much longer than a day at a time.
• Mouth breathing whilst asleep can dry the mouth, this happens when a person sleeps with their mouth open or has a blocked nose.
• Cancer treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy may have the side effects of a dry mouth.

How to prevent dry mouth

Dry mouth has a plethora of causes, by integrating these practices into your everyday life, the risk of getting a dry mouth will be reduced:

• Staying hydrated, aiming to drink around 1.5-2 litres of water per day.
• Checking leaflets of medication before use, if you are concerned contact your doctor first about the medication, if there are no alternatives, discuss this with your dentist.
• Avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Practicing breathing through the nose, for those who are mouth breathers when they sleep.
• Flossing at least once a day and brushing at a minimum or twice a day. When brushing use fluoride toothpaste, spit but do not rinse the mouth.

How to treat dry mouth

To treat your dry mouth the dentist will evaluate the cause and best course of treatment. It is likely that if medication if recognised as the cause of the dry mouth, the dentist will advise you to discuss with your doctor either the reduction or stopping of this particular medication.

Those who are diabetic will need to see their doctor and get the appropriate treatment and medication to negate the dry mouth.

If the cause is due to a blocked nose, you will need to contact the doctor as they will treat this particular issue. Usually, a decongestant in the form of a spray is supplied to help ease the mucus build-up.

How to spot dry  mouth/ symptoms

A dry mouth will typically lack saliva and as a result, will feel rather dry, this can leave the teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth feeling slightly uncomfortable.  Other symptoms can come on as a result of a prolonged dry mouth:

• Dry lips.
• Pain such as burning or tenderness in the mouth.
• Struggle to eat, speak or swallow.
• Bad breath.
• Gum disease.
• Tooth decay/ dental caries.
• A change in the taste of foods.
• Reoccurring infections of the mouth.