Dry mouth, a bad mouth
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We all suffer from a dry mouth from time to time, but for some people the condition is more long-lasting. Xerostomia is a condition where the mouth becomes very dry and can make people more susceptible to dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease or bad breath, or cause problems for denture wearers.
There are lots of different reasons why people get dry mouth, and there are things that you can do both to ease the condition and to help prevent problems with your teeth.
Some prescription drugs and medicines can cause dry mouth as a side effect, especially treatments for depression and high blood pressure. Also, certain medical conditions affect the salivary glands, so they don’t produce as much saliva and the mouth tends to be drier.
Xerostomia can lead to a burning or sore feeling in the mouth or a bad taste. You may also have difficulty swallowing and speaking. If you wear dentures, you may find they become loose and cause sore areas.
Making sure you don’t get dehydrated by drinking plenty of fluids can help. Some people find sucking sweets, or chewing gum helps produce more saliva, but take special care that these don’t contain sugar as this could cause more tooth decay.
