A dry mouth, a.k.a. xerostomia, is the sensation of oral dryness due to inadequate saliva production. It’s not a medical disorder but points to an underlying condition. Xerostomia can be a disease symptom, a medication’s side effect, or a sign you’re a mouth breather. When left unchecked, a dry mouth can lead to plaque problems.
Knowing the cause of your dry mouth is crucial because any insufficiency in saliva has far-reaching implications for oral health.
Saliva’s Role in Plaque Prevention
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) calls saliva a natural mouthwash because it rinses your teeth and gums of food particles. The secretion neutralises harmful acids and functions as an antimicrobial agent. It also prevents the buildup of plaque-causing bacteria.
Reduced saliva flow allows harmful microbes to thrive. When it keeps happening, a dry mouth causes plaque to form, harden, and turn into tartar. Plaque formation puts you at risk of:
- Cavities
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Enamel erosion
- Fungal infection
Dry Mouth Causes
Why does xerostomia happen in the first place? And what is dry mouth a symptom of? There are numerous potential contributors and underlying conditions, but you’ll need a dentist, doctor, or a combination of these experts to determine the root of your situation. The correct diagnosis is vital as it allows your healthcare professional to prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Three of the possible dry mouth causes involve:
Medication
A dry mouth can occur because of medication. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) reports that more than 400 drugs can impair salivary glands as a side effect. For example, the medicines used to treat high blood pressure, allergies, and depression can cause the glands to produce less saliva.
Disease
The diseases associated with dry mouth include autoimmune, chronic, and infectious conditions. Besides dry eyes, xerostomia is a hallmark symptom of Sjögren’s syndrome, where the immune system attacks moisture-producing glands. Diseases like diabetes, hepatitis C, hypothyroidism, and anaemia can also impact saliva production.
Mouth breathing
Waking up with a dry mouth strongly suggests you breathe through your mouth while sleeping. According to the Sleep Foundation, mouth breathers can lead to snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). In his book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, author James Nestor attests he snored for hours each night and developed OSA after a 10-day mouth-breathing experiment with Stanford University researchers.
The causes of mouth breathing may be a sleeping disorder or nasal blockage. Additionally, bad breath, drool on the pillow, and malocclusion (when the upper and lower teeth do not align) are a few symptoms of mouth breathing.
Research published in the European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry has suggested mouth breathing as a risk factor for malocclusion based on data from 1,600 preschoolers. In addition, a review published in Frontiers in Public Health reports that malocclusion appears more frequently in mouth-breathing children than in nasal-breathing children.
Identifying the underlying cause can help your physician determine the appropriate treatment for your xerostomia.
Dry Mouth Symptoms
Saliva lubricates the mouth so you can talk, chew, and swallow. A severely dry mouth can make those actions uncomfortable or difficult. Healthdirect Australia and the NIDCR list the following as dry mouth symptoms:
- Not enough saliva or a feeling of thickened saliva
- A constant feeling of thirst
- Sore throat
- Burning sensation in the mouth
- Cracked lips and tongue
- Altered sense of taste
- Hoarse voice
- Mouth sores
Talk to your doctor if you notice these symptoms. A dry mouth can affect your nutrition and lead to further complications with the teeth, mouth, or throat.
How to Manage Dry Mouth
You must be thinking, “How do I get rid of the dryness in my mouth?” The answer is obvious: Keeping your oral cavity moist can alleviate the condition. Below are some of the recommended self-care tips when experiencing too little or pasty saliva.
- Drink plenty of water to make chewing and swallowing easier. Dehydration can exacerbate dry mouth.
- Avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks, like coffee, sodas, and sweetened juices.
- Chew sugar-free gum or candy to stimulate saliva flow. The NIDCR recommends those with citrus, cinnamon, or mint flavours. Candy and gum containing xylitol may also help prevent cavities.
- Avoid spicy or salty foods. They may cause pain or a burning sensation in a dry mouth.
- Use a humidifier at night to increase the moisture in the air. Low humidity levels can dry the skin and nasal passages and aggravate dry mouth.
Since a dry mouth causes plaque problems, practise oral hygiene diligently. Apart from brushing teeth and flossing, dental experts advise the following.
- Gently brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. Ask your dentist, too, if it matters whether you use an electric or manual toothbrush.
- The ADA recommends using toothpaste with thrice the amount of fluoride than the usual stuff. Ask your doctor for a prescription since this isn’t typically available in the supermarket.
- Consult your dentist if you need to gargle with antimicrobial mouthwash after every meal.
Expert Care for Dry Mouth
Your doctor will develop a treatment plan based on your dry mouth’s cause. For instance, they may adjust the dosage or change the prescription if your xerostomia’s a medication side effect. They may also recommend medicine or artificial saliva (gel or lozenge) to keep your mouth moist.
Regular dentist appointments will help prevent plaque or tooth decay from progressing. The American Academy of Periodontology reports studies have shown a connection between periodontal disease and other health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Forsyth Institute and Harvard University researchers found people with periodontitis or gum disease may be at higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular events.
However, available research has only pointed to an association. Harvard Health points out that people with heart disease may have healthy gums, and those with gum disease may not necessarily develop heart issues.
The vital thing to note is dry mouth causes oral health issues and affects your overall well-being. Take a proactive stance to prevent any dental problem from reaching this stage. And keep listening to what your body tells you to maintain a healthy smile, body, and mind for the rest of your life.
References:
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Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Dry mouth. Better Health Channel.
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Dry Mouth. (n.d.). National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Gum Disease Risk Factors – American Academy of Periodontology. (2020, February 7). American Academy of Periodontology.
Harvard Health. (2021, February 15). Gum disease and heart disease: The common thread.
Healthdirect Australia. (n.d.). Dry mouth syndrome. Healthdirect.
Lin, L., Zhao, T., Qin, D., Hua, F., & He, H. (2022). The impact of mouth breathing on dentofacial development: A concise review. Frontiers in Public Health, 10.
Paolantonio, E. G., Ludovici, N., Saccomanno, S., La Torre, G., & Grippaudo, C. (2019). Association between oral habits, mouth breathing and malocclusion in Italian preschoolers. PubMed, 20(3), 204–208.
Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Mouth Breathing. Cleveland Clinic.
Rausch-Phung, E., & Rausch-Phung, E. (2023). Is Sleeping With Your Mouth Open Bad? Sleep Foundation.
Smith, J. R. (2020, August 20). Mouth breathing might be ruining your sleep. Here’s how to fix it. CNN. Retrieved May 25, 2023, from
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The Royal Australian College of general Practitioners. (n.d.). Dry mouth: Xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction. Australian Family Physician.
Van Dyke, T. E., Kholy, K. E., Ishai, A., Takx, R. A., Mezue, K., Abohashem, S., Ali, A., Yuan, N., Hsue, P. Y., Osborne, M. A., & Tawakol, A. (2021). Inflammation of the periodontium associates with risk of future cardiovascular events. Journal of Periodontology, 92(3), 348–358.
