Xerostomia
What problems can a dry mouth cause?
Saliva plays an important role in keeping your mouth healthy. If you have a dry mouth, you may experience a number of other problems too, such as:
- a burning sensation or soreness in your mouth
- dry lips
- bad breath (halitosis)
- a decreased or altered sense of taste
- recurrent mouth infections, such as oral thrush
- tooth decay and gum disease
- difficulty speaking, eating or swallowing
Its important to maintain good oral hygiene if you have a dry mouth to reduce the risk of dental problems. You should also see a dentist regularly, so they can identify and treat any problems early on.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about some of the main causes of a dry mouth and what can be done to treat it.
What can cause a dry mouth?
A dry mouth can occur whenthe salivary glands in your mouth don't produce enough saliva. Thisis often the result of Dehydration , which means you dont have enough fluid in your body to produce the sa
What problems can a dry mouth cause?
Saliva plays an important role in keeping your mouth healthy. If you have a dry mouth, you may experience a number of other problems too, such as: a burning sensation or soreness in your mouth dry
Treating a dry mouth
Treating the underlying cause If your doctor or dentist is able to determine what's causing your dry mouth, treating this may improve your symptoms. For example, if medication is suspected as the ca
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