Constant dry mouth is uncomfortable. It can cause bad breath, affect your sense of taste, and make chewing and swallowing more difficult. Because saliva plays an important role in digestion and helps to keep teeth clean, dry mouth can have a major impact on your overall health.
Medications are one of the most common causes of dry mouth. Long-term relief from your dry mouth may mean stopping or changing your medication or its dosage, or addressing underlying health issues.
Dry mouth is a common side effect of hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines, and pain relievers. Some cancer therapies can also affect saliva.
Decreased salivation is also associated with health conditions. Nerve damage in the head or neck can affect salivary glands. Dry mouth can also result from diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain autoimmune disorders.
Nighttime snoring or mouth breathing can also cause dry mouth symptoms. Often, patients with sleep apnea will experience issues with morning dry mouth as well.
Discussing your symptoms and medical history with your dentist is the best way to determine if your dry mouth is serious. They can review the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, and examine your mouth for signs of serious issues.
In some cases, you may need additional testing to determine the cause of your dry mouth and the best treatment option. These tests may include:
If your doctor suspects sleep apnea or snoring as the cause of your dry mouth, they may recommend a sleep study as well.
Prescription Changes
If your dry mouth is a side effect of a certain medication, your doctor may recommend switching to a different prescription or changing your dose.
Mouthwashes or Moisturizers
There are a variety of products available to lubricate the inside of your mouth. Your dentist may recommend a prescription or over-the-counter mouthwash designed for dry mouth, artificial saliva, or a moisturizer.
Medication
Certain prescription medications, such as pilocarpine and cevimeline, can help stimulate saliva production.
Mouthguards
If snoring or sleep apnea is at the root of your dry mouth, your dentist may fit you with a custom mouthguard to help you breathe through your nose throughout the night.
Saliva is crucial to maintaining the health of your teeth and your overall wellbeing. However, there are a variety of simple lifestyle changes you can make to limit the symptoms of dry mouth and protect your oral health. If you are concerned about dry mouth, schedule an appointment with a dentist today to find out how to protect your smile.
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