Causes and Symptoms of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is very common among so many people, but some may not even realize that they are experiencing dry mouth as they may think that it is normal. However, excessive dry mouth is not normal and there are many causes behind why someone may be experiencing it.

Knowing what the causes and symptoms of dry mouth are beneficial to a person who is going through it. Some of these causes can be fixed simply and it’s best to visit the dentist in order to treat the dry mouth. Being aware of the symptoms can help a person determine whether or not they have a dry mouth. Today, we will address the main causes behind dry mouth as well as touch on the symptoms that someone might be experiencing.

Causes of dry mouth

Heavy tobacco or alcohol use

If a person is a heavy smoker or tobacco user, they may experience dry mouth because the agents in tobacco strip the mouth of their healthy minerals that produce saliva flow. Tobacco use can be extremely harmful to the entire mouth. A heavy intake of alcohol is also a primary cause of dry mouth because alcohol decreases the flow of saliva in the mouth as well. Reducing both alcohol and tobacco use can help with dry mouth.

Medications

A lot of medications have side effects of dry mouth. Most patients may not realize that their mouth doesn't produce enough saliva because of their everyday prescription. Talk with a dentist about any medications that you are prescribed.

Sinus issues

People that experience sinus issues may also experience dry mouth. If a person doesn’t breathe in through their nose and out through their mouth then they are more likely to have a dry mouth. A person’s sinuses are meant to work based on this breathing method so if they can’t properly breathe then the mouth may become drier because it’s working harder to take in oxygen.

Symptoms of dry mouth

Other than the mouth simply being dry, here are a few other symptoms that one should look out for if they think that they have dry mouth:

• A dry or a sore throat often
• Sticky or thick saliva
• Constant bad breath
• Difficulty with everyday activities such as eating, swallowing or even speaking

The symptoms of dry mouth are not just the mouth being dry. It can have an effect on the entire mouth including the gums, tongue, and even the throat. It is extremely important not to ignore these signs but instead speak with the dentist immediately to see what can be done. Try at-home remedies to subside the symptoms until a visit to the dentist is possible.

If you have further questions or concerns about dry mouth, what causes it, and what the signs are, then reach out to our office today. We’re here to help in any way that we can!

Request an appointment here: https://thelaureldentist.com or call Montpelier Family Dentistry at (301) 605-1132 for an appointment in our Laurel office.