October 3, 2024

Dry Mouth: Causes, Risks, and Effective Remedies for a Healthier Smile

We all suffer from a dry mouth occasionally, but if you find that your mouth always feels dry, this could indicate that you have an underlying condition that needs to be addressed.

Dry mouth is difficult because it can be caused by so many different things. Your dentist will want to get to the root cause of the issue before they explore potential treatment options to get your oral health back on track.

In this guide, we’re looking at the causes of dry mouth, how it might impact you, and what you can do to treat it.

What causes dry mouth

What causes dry mouth?

There are so many reasons you could suffer from dry mouth. If you think this might be an issue for you, it’s a good idea to book a checkup with your dentist to explore the issue in more detail. Common causes of dry mouth include:

  • Smoking and vaping

  • Long-term use of certain medications, including antihistamines

  • Breathing through your mouth, rather than your nose

  • Health conditions, including diabetes

  • Dietary choices, including alcohol and caffeine

  • Cancer treatment

  • Anxiety and stress

  • Using mouthwash that contains alcohol

Your dentist can help you to determine if you have dry mouth or if you are simply dehydrated. They can also work with you to establish the root cause of your dry mouth problem.

What are the risks associated with dry mouth

What are the risks associated with dry mouth?

If you have a dry mouth, this means that your body isn’t producing enough saliva. Saliva is essential for your oral health as it helps to neutralise acid that will otherwise settle on your teeth and attack the enamel.

If you suffer from dry mouth, you will be at increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. You might also be more likely to suffer oral infections such as oral thrush, and might notice you have more ulcers than usual.

Dry mouth can also lead to bad breath which can be very embarrassing and might lead to social isolation. In some causes, it could also lead to an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms.

How is dry mouth treated

How is dry mouth treated?

The treatment for your dry mouth will all depend on the underlying cause. For example, you might need to adjust your medication, or change your oral hygiene routine to help address the issue.

If your dry mouth is caused by breathing through your mouth, you might want to explore orthodontics to see if this can help to align your jaw in a way that allows you to breathe correctly.

Simple lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or chewing sugar free gum after a meal could help you to increase saliva production to protect your teeth. You might also need to switch to a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol if this is found to be the cause of your dry mouth.

There are certainly lots of options available to you, and it might take some trial and error to identify the cause of your dry mouth and the ideal solution.

If your dry mouth is causing bad breath or if you are worried about the impact on your teeth, we would recommend a visit to the dental hygienist to help you get your oral health back on track. You’ll enjoy a gentle deep cleaning that will remove all traces of plaque and tartar from your teeth. This will help to protect your teeth from decay and gum disease while you are getting to the root cause of your dry mouth condition.

Final thoughts on dry mouth

You don’t have to live with dry mouth. If you’ve noticed your mouth often feels dry, book an appointment with our team to help get to the bottom of this issue.

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