Did you know that up to 1 in 4 people experience a dry mouth?
Medication use is one of the most common causes of dry mouth.
Common medications which can cause dry mouth include:
- Antidepressants
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines
- Muscle relaxants
- Appetite suppressants
- Diuretics
If left untreated, a dry mouth can increase the chance of tooth decay.
Signs of dry mouth include:
- Dryness in the mouth
- A sticky feeling in the mouth
- A burning sensation in the mouth
- Chapped lips
- Bad breath
- Waking up at night feeling thirsty
- Problems speaking
- Difficulty eating dry foods
- Problems wearing dentures
- Mouth Sores
Ways to help reduce the impact of a dry mouth include:
- Frequently sipping on water
- Limiting caffeine intake as caffeine can make your mouth drier
- Chewing on sugar-free gum
- Use a room humidifier
- Don’t use mouth rinses containing alcohol
- Don’t use tobacco or try to reduce your intake
- Breathe through your nose, not your mouth
- Use over-the-counter saliva substitutes
- Try mouthwashes designed for dry mouth such as Biotene for dry mouth.