Why Does My Mouth Feel Dry?

Hi, Dr Thea here from Dental House Group.

I just saw a new patient Rebecca from Darley yesterday. She came to us because her mouth is dry all the time, and it makes her quite uncomfortable. She asked me, Thea, what causes dry mouth, and how can we fix it?

We do often see patients with the same issue, so I thought I’ll make a quick video sharing with you what I shared with her, just in case you also experience the same problem.

Dry mouth is a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don’t make enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. It is often due to side effects of certain medications, aging, or as a result of radiation therapy for cancer. Less commonly, dry mouth can be due to medical conditions that directly affect the salivary glands such as Sjogren’s Syndrome.

The management of dry mouth is important because saliva helps prevent tooth decay by neutralising acids produced by bacteria, limiting bacterial growth and washing away food particles. Saliva also enhances your ability to taste and makes it easier to chew and swallow. Dry mouth may also cause mouth sores and can have a major impact on your appetite and enjoyment of food.

So, how can we treat this?

As dentists, we usually would recommend products that will moisturise your mouth. These can include prescription or over-the-counter mouth rinses, artificial saliva or moisturisers to lubricate your mouth.

To prevent tooth decay, regular dental check ups and fluoride application is important. Sometimes, we can also work with your GP if it’s possible to adjust your dosage or switch you to another medication that doesn’t cause a dry mouth.

I hope you found this video useful. If you have been experiencing a dry mouth for awhile, and are concerned about the condition of your teeth, we can look after you. Simply call us on 1800GENTLE, complete the enquiry form on our website, or direct message us on social media, and we will be in touch to organise a consultation for you. See you in the next video.

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