Everyone experiences dry mouth occasionally, but some people are plagued with it almost constantly. If you have the continuous feeling that your mouth doesn’t have enough saliva, it impacts your chewing, swallowing, digestion, speech, and can harm your teeth.

What are the symptoms of dry mouth?
People with chronic dry mouth have a dry, sticky, or burning feeling inside the mouth. Your throat may also be dry and you often feel thirsty. You may have trouble eating and speaking, and bad breath is common. Your lips chap easily and your tongue can feel rough, and you might develop mouth sores.

What causes it?
Breathing through your mouth while asleep is a common cause for dry mouth, as is taking medications that have dry mouth as a side effect. Some diseases also contribute to dry mouth, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, and treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy also are triggers. Tobacco use and alcohol consumption are other common causes for dry mouth symptoms.

How can it hurt my teeth?
Saliva in your mouth rinses away food particles and neutralizes acids that lead to tooth decay. When you don’t have enough saliva, your risk for cavities increases. You also are more likely to develop fungal and bacterial infections.

What can I do about it?
Treatments for dry mouth depend on what’s causing it. Here are some tips:

• Ask your dentist about devices to help keep your mouth closed during sleep.
• Ask your doctor if any of your medications are linked to dry mouth. If so, find out if there’s a possibility to change your medication or the dosage to decrease your symptoms.
• Sip water frequently or suck on sugarless candy to stimulate saliva flow.
• Use a humidifier in your bedroom.
• Try some of the over-the-counter products that are designed to keep your mouth wet.
• Ask your dentist about oral rinses or medications that might help stimulate your salivary glands.

General and family dentist in Toronto