Is Your Mouth Dry?

There are many causes for dry mouth and there are also many ways to combat it.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Mouth?

Some people only have dry, sticky mouths in the morning. “Morning breath” is a common term used to describe the bad breath that results from waking up with a dry mouth. The tongue is often grooved and any saliva seems extra thick or stringy.

There may be difficulty in talking or swallowing, and there may be a change in your voice. It may be more husky or hoarse and you may have a sore throat. Chewing may take longer and you might notice a change in taste.

If you wear dentures or a partial denture, you may notice that the fit seems “off”.

What Causes Dry Mouth?

Medications can be a significant cause of dry mouth. It is a side effect of many medications, particularly those for high blood pressure, diabetes, depression or anxiety, pain medication, and some decongestants and antihistamines. If you are taking any of these medications or medicines for these conditions and notice a dry mouth, then contact your doctor and discuss it with him or her. Do not stop taking medication but make the doctor aware of the situation.

Recreational drug use can also cause dry mouth. This is particularly true of methamphetamine, which can cause severe dry mouth and tooth damage. Marijuana can also cause a dry mouth.

Alcohol and tobacco also contribute to a dry mouth. Alcohol dehydrates the entire body, and the mouth and mucous membranes just exhibit it sooner than other body parts (like skin). If you drink alcohol then be sure to also drink water. Tobacco and the nicotine in tobacco contribute to dry mouth and also a wide variety of oral damage including oral cancers.

Aging and other health conditions can also contribute to dry mouth. One of the major symptoms of various autoimmune diseases like Sjogren’s or HIV/AIDS is a dry mouth. Diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, thrush/yeast infections, and other diseases can cause dry mouth.

Sleep apnea and snoring can also contribute to a dry mouth because as the mouth is open the mucous membranes dry out quickly.

Why Is Dry Mouth Important?

Without saliva, the teeth are at a higher risk of plaque and tartar buildup. This increases the likelihood of cavities and other periodontal diseases. Other types of oral sores like canker sores or thrush (a yeast infection) can also develop. Dry lips and mucous membranes can lead to cracks that expose the blood/circulatory system to infection. And if eating and swallowing are difficult because your mouth is dry, some people experience problems related to poor nutrition.

What Should I Do If I Have a Dry Mouth?

The first thing is to talk to Dr. Chiappetta or Dr. Haugstad or another member of the dental team at Library Park Dental. There are products that can help with dry mouth symptoms and we can suggest a variety of products depending on your specific cause.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco in order to reduce dry mouth symptoms.

Increase your water intake. This may mean sipping on water throughout the day as well as carefully monitoring how much you drink.

Chew sugar-free gum in order to help stimulate the salivary glands. Again, discuss your specific situation with Dr. Chiappetta or Dr. Haugstad, since chewing gum may not be good for your situation.

They may recommend that you brush with a fluoride toothpaste or rinse with a fluoride rinse in order to protect your teeth from decay.

Dry mouth can result from many causes, but communication with your dental team at Library Park Dental can help you protect your teeth and improve your oral health. Call us today to discuss your situation!