What You Should Know About Mouth Dryness

Health & Medical Blog

Mouth dryness is not a serious condition, but one that is actually very common. However, it can also be chronic and bothersome, which is why it helps to learn more about it. Here is valuable information about mouth dryness and what you can do about it.

What causes mouth dryness?

The first thing you should know is exactly what causes mouth dryness, since this can lead you toward the right treatment options. There are many things that can lead to dry mouth, many of which are things you can avoid. The possible causes include:

• Smoking cigarettes or using tobacco products
• Loss of saliva production due to a previous trauma
• Chronic mouth breathing
• Some medications, including those taken for depression and high blood pressure
• Treatments like radiation therapy or chemotherapy
• Conditions like Parkinson's, nerve damage, diabetes, HIV, dehydration, or thyroid disease

How do you know you have mouth dryness?

There are several signs and symptoms that accompany the obvious sign of this condition, which is when your mouth feels extremely dry. You might also be experiencing problems swallowing, a sore throat that never seems to go away, burning sensation in your mouth or throat, problems speaking, or hoarseness in your voice. You may also experience dry nasal passages as well. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in addition to having dry mouth, talk to your dentist about possible treatment options.

How is mouth dryness treated?

Your dentist will first look toward simple ways of restoring the moisture in your mouth. There are some things that can quickly and easily stimulate saliva flow, such as chewing sugar-free gum or candy. You may also be asked to use an oral rinse or artificial saliva rinse. If the dryness is from the medications you are taking, you can talk to your dentist or doctor about replacing it with a different medication. Dehydration is a common cause of mouth dryness, so make sure you are drinking enough water and other hydrating fluids.

You will be asked to stop bad habits that can worsen dry mouth, such as smoking cigarettes and drinking a lot of beverages with caffeine in them. If the dry mouth is due to mouth breathing at night, you can try coating your lips with lip balm in order to increase the moisture and coat your lips.

While mouth dryness is not a serious condition, it is not something you should ignore. There are easy ways to treat it and prevent it. Talk to a dentist like David Jackson, DDS for more information on proper oral health. 

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3 June 2015