Of all dry mouth causes, medications are the most common, according to the Government of Canada. Other causes include dehydration, smoking, alcohol, radiation treatment to the head and neck, and conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome and diabetes. Dry mouth matters for your teeth because saliva rinses away food and helps reduce acid. With less saliva, the risk of cavities and mouth infections goes up. Sipping water, chewing sugar-free gum and running a humidifier through Calgary’s dry winter can all help. If the dryness does not go away, see your dentist and your doctor.
The medical term for dry mouth is xerostomia. It can happen at any age, and it is very common in older adults. At The Port Dental Clinic in NE Calgary, our dentists help patients find the likely cause and protect their teeth. Dry mouth care is part of our senior dental care and our family checkups.
What causes dry mouth?
Dry mouth often has more than one cause. These are the most common causes and risk factors:
- Medications. The Government of Canada names medications as the most common cause. Check the leaflet or ask your pharmacist whether dry mouth is a known side effect of yours.
- Dehydration. Not drinking enough water is on the same list. The Government of Canada notes that most older adults do not drink the recommended daily amount of water.
- Mouth breathing. Breathing through your mouth, often at night or with a blocked nose, dries the mouth. A CDA journal article lists a mouth breathing habit as a risk factor.
- Smoking and alcohol. Tobacco, cannabis and alcohol can all dry the mouth. This includes mouthwashes containing alcohol.
- Health conditions. Diabetes and Sjogren’s syndrome are both linked with dry mouth. Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues.
- Cancer treatment. Radiation therapy to the head and neck is a known cause.
- Age. Dry mouth is very common among older adults, so it is worth raising at every checkup.
For more on how medications, mouth breathing and dehydration affect your teeth, read our article on surprising factors that affect dental health.
Why does dry mouth increase cavity risk?
Saliva is your mouth’s natural rinse. The CDA explains that more saliva helps reduce acidity in the mouth and clear out gaps between teeth. When saliva drops, food and acid stay on your teeth longer, and decay can start more easily.
The Government of Canada notes that dry mouth increases the risk of cavities and other types of infections in the mouth. The CDA journal article lists decay near the gumline, called cervical caries, among the signs of dry mouth. Exposed roots are at extra risk, because in adults cavities tend to form around old fillings and on roots exposed with age.
Dry mouth can also lead to a yeast infection called thrush, and to bad breath. Our article on common causes of bad breath covers that link.
What are the signs of dry mouth?
The CDA journal article lists these common symptoms:
- A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth and throat
- Frequent thirst
- A burning or tingling feeling in the mouth, especially on the tongue
- Trouble speaking, tasting, chewing or swallowing
- Hoarseness, a dry nose or a sore throat
- Bad breath
- Sores in the mouth, split skin at the corners of the mouth or cracked lips
Many people notice it most at night or in winter, when indoor heating makes Calgary’s dry air even drier. Denture wearers may also find their dentures less comfortable.
How can you relieve dry mouth at home?
Simple habits help most people feel more comfortable and protect their teeth:
- Sip water often. The CDA journal article recommends frequent sips of water. Keep a glass by your bed and a bottle with you.
- Chew sugar-free gum. The CDA says sugar-free gum can increase the flow of saliva. It suggests one piece after meals for at least five minutes, three times a day. The CDA adds that xylitol gum is prescribed for dry mouth because it increases saliva more than regular gum.
- Run a humidifier. A bedroom humidifier adds moisture to dry winter air. The CDA journal article lists a humidifier among simple relief steps.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash.
- Rinse after eating. Swish with water after meals and snacks to clear food your saliva would normally wash away.
- Protect your lips. A lip balm or petroleum jelly helps with cracking.
- Use fluoride. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. A CDA journal article recommends topical fluoride for people with dry mouth, so ask your dentist what extra fluoride protection suits you.
- Ask about saliva substitutes. Pharmacies carry sprays, gels and rinses made for dry mouth. Your pharmacist can help you choose.
If you have diabetes, the Government of Canada notes that you are more at risk of mouth infections, especially gum disease. Our article on dental care and diabetes has more tips.
Should you change a medication that causes dry mouth?
Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether another option might help. The CDA journal article notes that dentists may refer the patient to their treating physician to review a medicine that causes dryness. Bring a full medication list to your dental visits too, since the CDA notes that some medicines cause dry mouth and affect your oral health.
When to see a dentist or doctor
Book a dental visit if you notice:
- Dryness that lasts, even after you drink more water
- New cavities or newly sensitive teeth
- White or red patches, sores or a burning feeling in the mouth
- Trouble chewing, swallowing or speaking because of dryness
- Dentures that rub or no longer stay in place comfortably
See your doctor if dry mouth comes with other new symptoms, or if you think a medicine is the cause.
We offer same-day emergency appointments when possible. Outside our hours, call Health Link 811 for 24/7 advice on your symptoms and care options. Call 911 for trouble breathing or swallowing. Go to the nearest emergency department for facial swelling, fever or a facial injury.
Questions about dry mouth
Medications. The Government of Canada lists them as the most common cause. Dehydration, smoking, alcohol, radiation treatment and conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome can also cause it.
Yes. Saliva helps rinse away food and acid. With less saliva, the risk of cavities and mouth infections goes up, especially near the gumline and on exposed roots.
Sugar-free gum can increase saliva flow. The Canadian Dental Association notes that xylitol gum increases saliva more than regular gum. Avoid gum that contains sugar.
It can. A CDA journal article lists a humidifier among simple relief steps. Calgary’s indoor air gets very dry in winter, so a bedroom humidifier may help you sleep more comfortably.
No. Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether another option might help, and tell your dentist which medicines you take.
If dry mouth is bothering you, our senior dental care page explains how we help protect your teeth. Book online or call 403-345-1110. We are at 4250 109 Ave NE #3145 in NE Calgary, open weekday evenings and weekends.
