What causes dry mouth & how can I treat it?

If you've ever found yourself waking up with dry mouth, you're not alone. Not only is dry mouth completely uncomfortable, unpleasant, and taste bad, but it can also negatively impact your oral health. Unsure if you have dry mouth? Common symptoms include difficulty speaking or swallowing, bad breath, dry/sticky feeling, or a sore mouth.

What causes dry mouth? 

A variety of factors can cause dry mouth - your dentist can help you find the root cause if you're unsure. Common causes include: medication, natural aging, and dehydration.

If you're taking regular medications, you can check the manufacturer's warning labels of symptoms - is dry mouth listed? If so, this may be your culprit.

A general good rule of thumb when you're experiencing dry mouth but don't know the underlying cause is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Why is dry mouth a problem? 

While the symptoms may seem more bothersome than harmful, it's important to understand that saliva is crucial to your dental health. It helps prevent decay by washing away food and helps aid digestion. When you're not producing enough saliva, you can experience: gum disease, tooth decay, mouth sores, increased plaque, cracked lips, mouth sores, and more. Ouch!

How to treat dry mouth? 

Your dentist or even primary doctor can help you with a treatment plan depending on your specific symptoms. Check to see if your doctor thinks your medication is the cause - if so, they may adjust your dosage or possibly change your medication. You may also benefit from a prescription oral rinse, and your dentist may offer further treatment to protect your teeth, like with fluoride tray treatment.

In the meantime, continue brushing your teeth for a full 2 minutes at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss every day, and schedule routine cleanings with your dentist.

If you have any concerns about your dry mouth or oral health, call us today.