Dry mouth can be caused by medications, diseases, smoking, or dehydration. Symptoms include bad breath, mouth sores, and a feeling of stickiness. It is important to see a dentist and maintain good oral health, use fluoride toothpaste, and drink water. Over-the-counter products can also help.
Dry mouth is an unpleasant condition that occurs for many reasons. People may notice the symptoms of this condition in different ways. The condition is not only unpleasant but can pose some risks to your oral health. It is therefore important to employ one or more treatment options to address it.
The main symptoms of dry mouth include bad breath and a feeling that the tongue is “hairy” or sticky. People might get mouth sores, the tongue can get red and sore, and even the throat can feel dry, which can affect the ability to swallow or cause hoarseness. Some people are thirsty and others have sore throats or chapped lips. Most people will experience these symptoms at least once in a while, but when symptoms persist, the condition is called dry mouth.
Several things can cause this condition. Most commonly, medications that people take on a regular basis cause this. This includes many drugs (antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, sedatives) used to treat psychiatric conditions. Allergy medications can cause uncomfortable dryness, as can medications used to treat asthma, chronic congestion, high blood pressure, and diarrhea.
The causes of dry mouth aren’t limited to medications. Some diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, HIV, diabetes and anemia can also cause it. People who have salivary gland damage from chemotherapy or head or neck injuries may suffer from this condition. Additionally, things like smoking or chronic drinking can cause dry mouth or make the condition worse, and people can even get temporary dry mouth if they’re severely dehydrated.
There are a couple of things people should do if they have chronic dry mouth that can’t be cured by eliminating the cause. They need to see a dentist first. Good oral health is absolutely important because dry mouth is associated with a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Dentists may want to schedule cleanings more often and may also advise people to use a small plastic device called a tongue scraper when brushing their teeth.
Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is recommended, and dentists may suggest people use a final mouth rinse as well. Dental floss remains important. This will help reduce plaque buildup.
Other things can be done to ease the condition. People may want to invest in an over-the-counter product like a rinse or spray that helps make more saliva. There are many, and a dentist can suggest his or her favorites. Drinking water is also very important, as it constantly lubricates the mouth. Some find benefit from sucking on sugarless candy, which helps produce saliva.
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