Dry Mouth: Causes, Risks and Ways to Find Relief

Winter heating, holiday travel and cold medicines all have something in common: they can leave your mouth feeling parched. An occasional dry mouth is normal. But when it lasts, it does more than make you uncomfortable. Saliva is one of your teeth's best natural defenses, and without enough of it, cavities and gum problems can develop quickly.

Why saliva matters

Saliva does a lot of quiet work:

• Rinses away food particles and bacteria
• Neutralizes the acids that cause cavities
• Supplies minerals that help repair early enamel damage
• Makes chewing, swallowing and speaking comfortable
• Helps dentures stay in place

When saliva drops, these protections drop with it.

Common causes of dry mouth

• Medications. This is the most common cause. Hundreds of medications can reduce saliva, including some for blood pressure, allergies, depression, anxiety, pain and bladder control. Taking several medications raises the effect.
• Mouth breathing and snoring, especially at night
• Dehydration, from not drinking enough water, illness or exercise
• Caffeine and alcohol, including alcohol-based mouthwash
• Tobacco and vaping
• Medical conditions such as diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome and others
• Cancer treatment, especially radiation to the head and neck
• Aging, mostly because older adults tend to take more medications

Signs to watch for

• A sticky or dry feeling in the mouth
• Thick, stringy saliva
• Frequent thirst
• Bad breath
• Trouble chewing, swallowing or speaking
• A dry, rough tongue or cracked lips
• Sores in the mouth, or dentures that rub
• New cavities, especially along the gumline

What helps

• Sip water throughout the day, and keep water by your bed.
• Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free mints, especially those with xylitol, to stimulate saliva.
• Use a humidifier at night, especially in winter.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol, and choose alcohol-free mouthwash.
• Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes, sprays or gels made for dry mouth.
• Breathe through your nose when you can; talk to your doctor if congestion or snoring makes that hard.
• Avoid sugary and acidic snacks and drinks, which do more damage when saliva is low.
• Don't stop a medication on your own. If you suspect a prescription is causing dry mouth, ask your doctor whether an alternative or a dose change is possible.

Protecting your teeth

Because dry mouth raises cavity risk, extra protection makes a difference:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily.
• Ask about a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste or professional fluoride treatments.
• Keep regular checkups so problems are caught early. Some patients with dry mouth benefit from more frequent visits; see how often you need a cleaning.

When to see your dentist

If dry mouth lasts more than a couple of weeks, or you're noticing new cavities, sores or trouble eating, let us know. Dr. Kour will look for signs of damage, review your medications and health history with you, and recommend a plan to protect your teeth. It helps to bring a complete list of what you take, including over-the-counter allergy and sleep aids, supplements and inhalers, since several of these can add up to a noticeably drier mouth. Learn more about our general and preventive care.

Relief starts with a conversation

Dry mouth is common and very manageable once you know the cause. Request an appointment online or call Zen Family Dental at (703) 385-2772.