You hear the term "dry mouth," — you think of being thirsty. There's actually a lot more that goes into it. Yes, your mouth and throat are parched, and drinking water helps. But suppose you're not producing enough saliva. In that case, your food won't digest properly, your teeth are vulnerable to decay and your mouth to bacterial infections, and it's harder to chew and swallow. You can now understand why saliva is so important to your oral health. If you're experiencing a variety of these symptoms, you probably have dry mouth:
- Dry feeling in your mouth
- Trouble swallowing, chewing, speaking
- A tongue burning sensation
- Cracked lips
- Dry feeling in your throat
- Trouble tasting/ metallic taste in your mouth
- Mouth sores
- Bad breath
- Allergies
If you're experiencing many of the above, get in to see your dentist so they can assess your situation. There could be many causes to your dry mouth, from lifestyle choices to medications to other ongoing health issues. Consult with your dentist and create a treatment plan that's right for you.