- Ever touched your gums and felt they are extremely dry? Is this normal? No, dry gums are a symptom of dry mouth. Also referred to as xerostomia, dry mouth is a condition where the salivary glands in your mouth don’t produce enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. There are many causes of dry mouth, but in many cases, it is due to the side effects of certain medications. This article discusses what you need to know about dry mouth and how it affects your oral health.
Causes of Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is caused when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. There are several factors that cause improper functioning of glands. For instance, different medications produce dry mouth as their side effects. Medication for conditions like high blood pressure, depression and anxiety can result to dry mouth. Besides, age is another factor that can result to this condition. In most cases, older people experience dry mouth as they age.
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
People with dry mouth exhibit different symptoms. One of the common signs is having pale gums. This is mostly due to lack of enough saliva in the mouth. A dry feeling in the mouth and throat is also associated with dry mouth. When you have a dry mouth, you might find it difficult to speak, chew, and swallow. The sore throat makes it very uncomfortable to swallow food.
Some individuals also get dry eyes and cracked or chapped lips, these symptoms are more common in young adults with dry mouth. The condition can also lead to diminished sense of taste, making it difficult to taste and eatables. In extreme cases, patients get headaches and feel dizzy most of the time. Bad breath is also a symptom of dry mouth.
