Dry mouth: why it matters for your teeth, and what helps

Most of us take saliva for granted until there isn’t enough of it. A persistently dry mouth, known as xerostomia, is more than uncomfortable. It can make eating and speaking harder and puts your teeth and gums at real risk. The good news is that the cause can usually be found, and there is a lot you can do to feel better.

What saliva does for you

Your mouth has three pairs of major salivary glands and hundreds of tiny ones. Together they produce saliva throughout the day. Saliva:

• Washes away food particles and bacteria.
• Neutralizes the acids that cause tooth decay.
• Carries minerals that help repair early damage to enamel.
• Helps you taste, chew, swallow and speak.
• Protects the soft tissues of the mouth from irritation and infection.

Signs of dry mouth

• A sticky, dry or burning feeling in the mouth.
• Thick or stringy saliva.
• Trouble chewing, swallowing or speaking.
• A dry, rough tongue, cracked lips or sores at the corners of the mouth.
• Bad breath.
• A sore throat or hoarseness.
• Dentures that don’t stay in place as well.

Common causes

• Medications. Hundreds of common medicines list dry mouth as a side effect, including some for blood pressure, allergies, depression, anxiety and pain. This is the most common cause.
• Dehydration, including not drinking enough water or drinking a lot of caffeine or alcohol.
• Breathing through your mouth, especially while sleeping.
• Tobacco and vaping.
• Health conditions such as diabetes and Sjögren’s syndrome.
• Cancer treatment, particularly radiation to the head and neck.

Dry mouth becomes more common with age, mostly because older adults tend to take more medications.

Why it puts your teeth at risk

Without enough saliva, acids and bacteria linger on the teeth. People with dry mouth tend to get more cavities, often along the gumline and around old fillings. They are also more prone to gum disease, bad breath and oral infections such as thrush.

What helps

• Sip water often throughout the day, and keep water by your bed.
• Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free lozenges to stimulate saliva. Products with xylitol are a good choice.
• Use a humidifier in your bedroom at night.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol, and avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes.
• Avoid tobacco.
• Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes or dry-mouth rinses.
• Ask your physician whether a different medication or dose is possible. Never stop a prescribed medication on your own.

How we can help

At your visit, we’ll look for signs of dry mouth, talk with you about possible causes, and check for early decay. If you are at higher risk of cavities, we may recommend fluoride treatments or a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste, and more frequent checkups. If we suspect an underlying medical condition, we’ll suggest you see your physician.

If your mouth often feels dry, mention it at your next appointment or contact SmileNY Dental.