Dry Mouth: Causes, Symptoms &
How to Protect Your Teeth
Having a dry mouth is something many people experience from time to time. You may notice that your mouth feels sticky, you need to drink more often, or you have difficulty swallowing certain foods.
Occasional dryness is usually nothing to worry about. However, a persistent dry mouth, sometimes called xerostomia, is worth discussing with a dentist or doctor. Saliva plays an important role in protecting your teeth and gums, so having less saliva than normal can increase the risk of tooth decay and other problems in the mouth. nhs.uk
At Kew Road Dental, we see patients from Richmond, Kew, East Sheen, Twickenham and the surrounding areas with a wide range of oral-health concerns. Understanding why your mouth is dry and taking simple steps to protect your teeth can make a significant difference to your long-term oral health.
What does saliva do?
Saliva does much more than simply keep your mouth moist.
It helps make eating and swallowing easier, supports your sense of taste and helps protect your teeth by helping to neutralise acids in the mouth. Saliva also helps clear food particles and provides natural protection against tooth decay.
When saliva production is reduced, this protective effect is reduced too. People with persistent dry mouth can therefore be more susceptible to tooth decay, gum problems, mouth infections and bad breath. Oral Health Foundation
This is why a dry mouth is not simply an inconvenience. If it continues, it can become an important dental-health issue.
What causes dry mouth?
There are many possible causes, and sometimes more than one factor is involved.
Medication
A wide range of medicines can cause or contribute to dry mouth. If you have noticed that your mouth became drier after starting a new medication, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
You should not stop taking a prescribed medicine yourself, even if you suspect it is causing your symptoms. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise whether an alternative treatment or another approach may be appropriate. nhs.uk
Dehydration
Not drinking enough fluid can leave your mouth feeling dry. This can happen during hot weather, after exercise or when you are unwell.
Regularly drinking water is one of the simplest ways to help keep your mouth comfortable.
Mouth breathing
Breathing through your mouth, particularly at night, can contribute to a dry mouth. A blocked nose, nasal congestion or other factors that make nasal breathing difficult can sometimes be involved.
Smoking and alcohol
Smoking can contribute to dry-mouth symptoms, while alcohol can also have a drying effect on the mouth. Cutting down or stopping smoking is beneficial for your oral health as well as your general health. nhs.uk
Medical conditions
Some medical conditions can affect saliva production. Persistent dry mouth can occasionally be associated with conditions such as diabetes or Sjögren's syndrome.
If your dry mouth occurs alongside other symptoms — for example, unusually frequent urination or persistently dry eyes — it is worth discussing this with your GP. nhs.uk
Cancer treatment
Radiotherapy involving the head and neck can affect the salivary glands and may result in a significant reduction in saliva production. People who have undergone this type of treatment may need additional dental protection because of the increased risk of tooth decay. Oral Health Foundation
What are the symptoms of dry mouth?
The most obvious symptom is a feeling of dryness or stickiness in the mouth, but there are several other signs to look out for.
You may experience:
- A dry or sticky feeling in your mouth
- Needing to sip water frequently
- Difficulty eating or swallowing dry foods
- Dry or cracked lips
- A dry or coated tongue
- Changes in your sense of taste
- Bad breath
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- More frequent tooth decay
- Mouth soreness or irritation
Some people notice that their mouth is particularly dry during the night or when they wake up in the morning.
If dryness is persistent, it is worth mentioning it at your next dental appointment rather than simply treating the symptom with water or chewing gum. Identifying the possible cause allows your dental team to assess whether you may also be at increased risk of tooth decay or other oral-health problems. nhs.uk
How can you protect your teeth if you have a dry mouth?
The good news is that there are several simple things you can do to reduce the impact of dry mouth on your teeth.
Drink water regularly
Taking regular sips of water throughout the day can help keep your mouth comfortable.
Water is particularly useful between meals because it does not contain sugar or acid that can contribute to tooth decay or enamel erosion.
Keeping a glass of water beside your bed can also be helpful if your mouth becomes dry during the night. Oral Health Foundation
Chew sugar-free gum
Sugar-free chewing gum can stimulate saliva production and may help relieve dry-mouth symptoms.
It can be particularly useful after meals, when saliva helps to clear food and neutralise acids produced in the mouth.
Choose sugar-free gum rather than ordinary chewing gum or sweets, as frequent exposure to sugar increases the risk of tooth decay. Oral Health Foundation
Continue brushing twice a day
Good oral hygiene becomes even more important when you have a dry mouth.
Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. For most adults, standard toothpaste containing around 1,350–1,500 parts per million fluoride is appropriate, although your dentist may recommend a higher-fluoride toothpaste if you are at particularly high risk of decay. High-fluoride toothpaste may be appropriate for some adults with persistent dry mouth, but this should be discussed with your dental professional. Oral Health Foundation
After brushing, spit out the toothpaste rather than rinsing your mouth with water. This allows fluoride to remain on the teeth for longer.
Clean between your teeth
Brushing alone cannot effectively clean all the surfaces between your teeth.
Daily cleaning between the teeth with appropriately sized interdental brushes or floss helps remove plaque from areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. Oral Health Foundation
Your dentist or hygienist can show you which type and size of interdental cleaner is most suitable for you.
Be careful with sugary and acidic drinks
When saliva levels are low, it becomes particularly important to avoid repeatedly exposing your teeth to sugar and acid.
Try to limit sugary drinks and avoid regularly sipping fizzy drinks, fruit juice or other acidic beverages throughout the day. Water is the best choice for keeping your mouth hydrated between meals.
If you do have an acidic drink, drinking it in one sitting rather than continually sipping it over a long period can reduce the frequency of acid exposure. nhs.uk
Consider alcohol-free mouthwash
Some people with dry mouth find an alcohol-free mouthwash more comfortable than products that contain alcohol.
Mouthwash should be considered an addition to brushing rather than a replacement for it. If you are at increased risk of tooth decay, your dentist may recommend a fluoride mouthwash as part of your preventive routine. nhs.uk
What if you wear dentures?
Dry mouth can make wearing dentures less comfortable because saliva normally helps lubricate the tissues of the mouth.
If you wear dentures and have a persistent dry mouth, tell your dentist. They can check that your dentures fit correctly and discuss ways of improving comfort.
Dentures should generally be removed at night unless your dental professional has advised otherwise. Keeping them clean and following appropriate denture-care advice is also important for maintaining a healthy mouth. Oral Health Foundation
When should you see a dentist or GP?
A dry mouth that lasts for a few days is not usually a reason for concern. However, persistent or troublesome symptoms should be investigated.
Speak to a dentist or GP if:
- Your mouth remains dry for several weeks
- Dryness is making eating or speaking difficult
- You are experiencing increased tooth decay or sensitivity
- Your mouth is painful, red, swollen or bleeding
- You develop persistent white patches or soreness
- You have persistent changes in your sense of taste
- You also have symptoms such as unusually frequent urination or dry eyes
- You think a prescribed medicine may be contributing to the problem nhs.uk
Your dentist can examine your teeth, gums and soft tissues and assess whether dry mouth may be contributing to your dental problems. If a medical cause is suspected, your GP or pharmacist may be able to investigate further.
Can dry mouth damage your teeth?
It can increase the risk, particularly if the problem is persistent.
Without enough saliva, the mouth loses some of its natural protection against acids and tooth decay. This means that someone who previously had few dental problems may begin developing cavities more frequently after developing significant dry mouth. Oral Health Foundation
The best approach is prevention. Maintaining good fluoride protection, cleaning between your teeth, limiting sugar and acid exposure and attending regular dental examinations can all help reduce the risk.
If decay does develop, early treatment can often prevent a small problem from becoming more extensive. Depending on the condition of the tooth, treatment may include a tooth-coloured filling or, where a tooth has been more extensively damaged, a crown or other restorative treatment.
Dry mouth and your long-term oral health
Dry mouth is easy to overlook, particularly when it develops gradually. However, saliva is an important part of the mouth's natural defence system.
If you regularly wake with a dry mouth, need to drink water throughout the night, or have noticed that you are developing more cavities than usual, it is worth discussing the problem with your dentist.
At Kew Road Dental, we have been established on Kew Road since 2012 and provide personalised private dental care for patients in Richmond, Kew, East Sheen, Twickenham and the surrounding areas. Our approach is focused on prevention, early diagnosis and helping patients maintain healthy teeth and gums for the long term.
If you are concerned about persistent dry mouth or changes in your oral health, an examination can help identify any problems and determine whether you would benefit from additional preventive care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dry mouth a normal part of getting older?
Dry mouth can become more common with age, but persistent dry mouth should not simply be accepted as an inevitable part of ageing. Medicines and underlying health conditions are common contributors, so ongoing symptoms are worth discussing with a healthcare professional. nhs.uk
Does dry mouth cause bad breath?
It can. Reduced saliva flow can contribute to bad breath because saliva normally helps clear food particles and bacteria from the mouth. Good oral hygiene, regular water intake and sugar-free gum may help. Oral Health Foundation
Is chewing gum good for dry mouth?
Sugar-free chewing gum can be helpful because chewing stimulates saliva flow. Choose sugar-free rather than sugared gum, particularly if you are already at increased risk of tooth decay. Oral Health Foundation
Should I stop taking medication that causes dry mouth?
No. Do not stop prescribed medication without speaking to your doctor or pharmacist. They can assess whether the medicine is contributing to your symptoms and advise whether there are suitable alternatives. nhs.uk
Can dry mouth cause tooth decay?
Yes. Reduced saliva can increase the risk of tooth decay because saliva normally helps protect teeth from acids and helps clear food from the mouth. If you have persistent dry mouth, your dentist may recommend additional preventive measures depending on your individual risk.