Dry Mouth: Causes, Symptoms & When to See a Dentist
A dry mouth from time to time is common, particularly when you first wake up, haven’t had enough water or feel nervous. However, if your mouth regularly feels dry, sticky or uncomfortable, it may be a sign that you are not producing enough saliva or that the saliva you produce is not adequately lubricating your mouth.
The clinical term xerostomia describes the sensation of having a dry mouth. It may occur alongside hyposalivation, which is a measurable reduction in saliva flow, although it is possible to experience one without the other.
Persistent dry mouth is more than an inconvenience. Saliva plays an important role in protecting your teeth and oral tissues, so changes in its quantity or quality can affect your comfort and oral health.
At Medland, we take the time to investigate your symptoms, consider factors that may be contributing to them and recommend care based on your individual needs.
Dry Mouth: What Could Be Causing It?
Why Is Saliva Important?
Saliva does much more than keep your mouth feeling moist. It helps you speak, taste, chew and swallow comfortably. It also washes away food particles, helps neutralise acids and supplies minerals that support the natural repair of tooth enamel.
Saliva also helps protect the soft tissues of the mouth and control the bacteria and other microorganisms that naturally live there.
When saliva flow is reduced—or when its consistency changes—your teeth and oral tissues may have less natural protection.
What Does Dry Mouth Feel Like?
Dry mouth can feel different from person to person. Symptoms may include:
A dry, sticky or uncomfortable feeling in the mouth
Saliva that feels thick, stringy or foamy
Frequent thirst
Dry or cracked lips
A dry, rough or burning tongue
Difficulty speaking, chewing or swallowing
Needing to sip water while eating
Changes in taste
Food sticking to the teeth, tongue or roof of the mouth
Persistent bad breath
Mouth ulcers or soreness
Difficulty wearing dentures comfortably
Waking during the night with a dry mouth or throat
Some people notice symptoms only at night, while others experience dryness throughout the day.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth can have more than one contributing factor. Some causes are temporary, while others require ongoing management.
Medications
Dry mouth is a possible side effect of many prescription and over-the-counter medicines. These may include some medications used to manage allergies, depression, anxiety, pain, high blood pressure, bladder conditions and other health concerns.
Taking several medications—sometimes referred to as polypharmacy—may increase the likelihood of experiencing dry mouth.
If you think a medication may be affecting your saliva, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking or change the dose of a prescribed medication without professional medical advice.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough fluid can temporarily reduce saliva production. Dehydration may also occur during illness, after vomiting or diarrhoea, through heavy perspiration or when spending time in hot conditions.
Increasing your water intake may help when dehydration is contributing to the problem, but ongoing symptoms should still be discussed with your dental practitioner or doctor.
Mouth Breathing and Snoring
Breathing through your mouth can cause the oral tissues to dry out, particularly overnight. Mouth breathing may be associated with nasal congestion, allergies, snoring or some sleep-related breathing conditions.
If you regularly wake with a dry mouth, mention this to your dental practitioner. Depending on your symptoms, further assessment by your GP or another healthcare practitioner may be recommended.
Smoking, Vaping, Alcohol and Caffeine
Smoking and vaping can contribute to oral dryness and may also affect your teeth, gums and other tissues within the mouth.
Alcohol can have a drying effect, while frequent or excessive consumption of caffeinated drinks may make some people’s symptoms more noticeable. Alcohol-containing mouthwashes may also irritate an already dry or sensitive mouth. These should be avoided.
Health Conditions and Medical Treatment
Persistent dry mouth may sometimes be associated with a general health condition or medical treatment. Possible contributing factors include:
- Diabetes
- Sjögren’s disease and some other autoimmune conditions
- Salivary gland disorders
- Previous radiation therapy involving the head or neck
- Some cancer treatments
Dry mouth should not be used to diagnose any of these conditions yourself. If your symptoms or medical history suggest that further investigation is appropriate, your dentist may recommend speaking with your GP or another suitably qualified healthcare practitioner.
How Can Dry Mouth Affect Your Teeth and Gums?
Without adequate saliva, acids produced by dental plaque or introduced through food and drinks may remain in contact with the teeth for longer. Food debris can also be more difficult to clear naturally from the mouth.
Over time, persistent dry mouth may increase the risk of:
- Tooth decay, including decay around the gumline and exposed root surfaces
- Tooth sensitivity
- Gum inflammation or periodontal disease
- Bad breath
- Mouth ulcers and irritated oral tissues
- Oral fungal infections such as candidiasis, commonly called oral thrush
- Difficulty eating, speaking or swallowing
- Problems with the comfort or retention of dentures
Changes may develop without significant discomfort at first. Regular Active Maintenance appointments allow your dental team to monitor your teeth, gums and oral tissues and respond if your risk of dental disease changes.
What Can Help Relieve a Dry Mouth?
The most appropriate way to manage dry mouth depends on its cause. Your dentist, dental hygienist, oral health therapist, GP or pharmacist may recommend strategies suited to your individual circumstances.
Measures that may help include:
- Sip plain water regularly throughout the day
- Keep water nearby at night if you wake with a dry mouth
- Chew sugar-free gum to encourage saliva flow, if you are able to chew comfortably
- Choose sugar-free products rather than sugary lollies or mints
- Limit frequent exposure to sugary and acidic foods and drinks
- Reduce or avoid smoking and vaping
- Limit alcohol if it aggravates your symptoms
- Use a humidifier at night if the surrounding air is particularly dry
- Protect dry lips with a suitable lip balm
- • Ask your dental practitioner or pharmacist about saliva substitutes or dry-mouth products e.g. Biotene products or GC dry mouth gel
Avoid relying on acidic sweets, lemon juice or sugary drinks to stimulate saliva. Frequent exposure to sugar and acid can increase the risk of tooth decay and dental erosion.
Caring for Your Teeth When You Have a Dry Mouth
When You Have a Dry Mouth
A consistent preventive routine becomes particularly important when saliva flow is reduced.
You can help protect your oral health by:
- Brushing twice each day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Cleaning between your teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes
- Using high fluoride toothpaste e.g. Neutrafluor 5000 toothpaste
- Using remineralising agents e.g. GC Tooth mousse
- Spitting out excess toothpaste rather than immediately rinsing it away
- Limiting how often you consume sugary or acidic food and drinks
- Cleaning dentures and removable dental appliances as instructed
- Attending dental examinations and professional cleans at the interval recommended for you
Your oral health needs may change when you develop dry mouth. Medland’s Active Maintenance approach allows the frequency of your appointments and preventive care to be tailored to your current risk factors.
When Should You See a Dentist About Having A Dry Mouth?
Arrange a dental appointment if:
- Your mouth regularly feels dry or sticky
- Dryness is persistent or becoming worse
- You find it difficult to speak, chew or swallow
- You regularly wake during the night needing water
- Your mouth feels sore or has developed white patches
- You experience recurring mouth ulcers
- You notice new tooth sensitivity, toothache or changes to your teeth
- Your dentures have become uncomfortable
- Dry mouth is accompanied by ongoing bad breath
- You have recently started a new medication and noticed a change in your mouth
You can also read more about sensitive teeth and bad breath in our Dental Symptoms guide.
If your dry mouth is accompanied by significant difficulty swallowing, breathing difficulties, severe dehydration or rapidly developing swelling, seek prompt medical attention.
How Can Medland Help With Dry Mouth?
A dry mouth can have many possible causes, so the first step is understanding your individual symptoms and risk factors.
Your Medland dental practitioner will ask about your symptoms, general health, medications, daily habits and any recent changes you have noticed. They will examine your teeth, gums, tongue and other oral tissues for signs that may be associated with reduced saliva or an increased risk of dental disease.
Depending on your needs, recommendations may include:
- Changes to your daily oral care routine
- Additional fluoride protection e.g. Neutrafluor 5000 toothpaste
- • Additional remineralising products e.g. GC Tooth Mousse
- Products intended to lubricate the mouth or stimulate saliva
- Dietary advice to reduce the risk of decay and erosion
- More frequent preventive dental care
- Treatment for tooth decay, gum disease or oral infection
- Referral to your GP, pharmacist or another healthcare practitioner when further investigation is appropriate
You do not need to simply put up with a mouth that regularly feels dry or uncomfortable. If you have noticed persistent dryness or changes in your oral health, contact Medland to arrange an appointment.
For dental care and service you can rely on in a friendly, welcoming environment, book your dental appointment at Medland today.