A dry mouth is perfectly common in some situations, such as waking from a good night's sleep, says the American Dental Association, or ADA. However, if your mouth is frequently dry, there could be another cause that needs to be identified. Not only is a lingering dry mouth uncomfortable, it could lead to complications such as tooth decay, difficulty speaking and decreased taste.
Temporary Dry Mouth
Your mouth goes dry whenever you experience stressful emotions--such as fear, anxiety and nervousness--according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR. You've most likely noticed that when you wake up in the morning, your mouth is dry and your saliva tacky. As you sleep, your salivary glands decrease production, explains the ADA. You need saliva to clean out your mouth and wash away particles on which bacteria thrive. As bacteria break down these particles, they produce a foul odor, hence the term "morning breath."
Medications and Dry Mouth
When a dry mouth, known in medical terms as xerostomia, is more persistent, there may be another cause. An article in the January 2003 edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association by the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine indicates that the most common cause of xerostomia is medications that have a dry mouth as a known side effect. There are literally hundreds of these medications, according to MayoClinic.com, from the drugstore antihistamines and decongestants you take to prescription medications used to treat anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and incontinence. People who are older are more at risk for xerostomia simply because they're more likely to take these medications.
Other Causes
Radiation treatment to the head and neck can also cause damage to your salivary glands, and chemotherapy treatment can alter how much saliva your mouth produces, states MayoClinic.com. Nerve damage to the head and neck can also cause xerostomia. Certain medical conditions and their treatments are associated with dry mouth, such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS and anxiety disorders, says the clinic.
Dry Mouth Hazards
A dry mouth can put you at risk for dental decay and gum disease, states the NIDCR. The University of Pittsburgh study also lists candidiasis and difficulty wearing dentures as possible complications. A dry mouth makes chewing, swallowing and speaking more difficult and impairs your ability to enjoy the food you eat. The NIDCR indicates that a dry mouth is not a natural part of the aging process; if you experience xerostomia and don't know why, see your treating dentist or physician.
What You Can Do
The NIDCR suggests simple things you can do for a dry mouth. Avoid tobacco, caffeine and alcohol. Instead, sip water or a sugar-free drink. Chew sugarless gum or pop a sugar-free mint into your mouth to increase saliva. The NIDCR recommends mint, citrus and cinnamon candies and gums. Keep in mind that decreased saliva flow puts your teeth at risk for decay. The NIDCR advises brushing your teeth gently at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily. If you eat or drink something sugary, brush your teeth as soon as you can. See your dentist for a check-up two times each year.
