Dry mouth can be a subjective feeling that your mouth is dry when, in fact, you are still producing enough saliva, or there may be an actual lack of saliva. A true lack of saliva can cause symptoms ranging from minor (e.g., sticky, dry feeling in your mouth) to severe (e.g., tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections). Dry mouth may be temporary, as a result of taking certain medications, mouth breathing at night, dehydration or an emotional response (e.g., nervousness, high stress situations), but if it is long-lasting, be sure to talk to your dentist about possible causes. In this article, we will cover solutions for dry mouth and give tips for preventing the more severe consequences of a persistent lack of saliva.
Depending on the cause, the right solution may be as simple as drinking an adequate amount of water. If your dry mouth is long-lasting, then the solutions may require more effort on your part. First, find out from your dentist or other health care provider what might be causing your dry mouth. Even if your dry mouth condition can’t be cured, the right self-care steps will help you lessen the negative effects on your oral health and improve your overall quality of life.
Incorporate the following dry mouth solutions into your daily routine:
If your dry mouth persists, then it is advisable to seek guidance from your dentist or other health care provider. Certain medications you’re taking could be the cause, or it could be a sign of another condition, such as diabetes, Sjögren’s syndrome, or kidney disease. Dry mouth is usually not a serious issue that needs immediate medical care but ignoring it can have long-term negative effects on your oral health. Use the Delta Dental dentist finder to find the right dentist for you.
Sources:
1. Xerostomia (Dry Mouth). (2021, February 22) from https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/xerostomia
2. Managing dry mouth. (2015, February) from https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)00056-7/fulltext
3. Dry Mouth. (n.d.) from https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/dry-mouth
4. Mouth Dryness. (2020, February 1) from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/mouth-problems/dry-mouth.html
5. Dry Mouth. (n.d.) from https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/dry-mouth