It’s normal to have a dry tongue and mouth occasionally. For example, your mouth can feel dry after exercising, if you’re nervous, or after spending time outside in the summer. You can usually fix your dry mouth when this happens by drinking a glass of water. But what if you have a persistent dry mouth that you can’t seem to get rid of? This could be a sign that you have a condition known as xerostomia that may require more than a few swallows of water.
Learn more about why your tongue may feel dry, and book an appointment with Trident General Dentistry today!
What Are the Symptoms of Dry Mouth?
Xerostomia is the technical name for the condition commonly called dry mouth. In addition to your tongue feeling try you may experience other symptoms, such as:
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Halitosis or bad breath.
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Sores on the tongue, lip, or inside the mouth.
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Cracked lips.
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Thick saliva.
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Problems chewing food.
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Impaired speech.
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Difficulty swallowing.
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Persistent dryness of your throat and constant thirsty feeling.
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Change in taste sensation.
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Hoarseness.
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More teeth decay.
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Gum disease.
What Causes My Tongue to Feel Dry?
Several things can cause xerostomia or dry mouth, including:
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Medication side effects. Dry mouth is a common side effect of numerous prescription and nonprescription medications. Drugs frequently prescribed to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, colds, asthma, nausea, and acne share the side effect of xerostomia. Many muscle relaxers and sedative medications also can result in dry tongue and mouth.
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Dehydration. Some surveys estimate that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Dehydration particularly affects older adults, sick people, and people who sweat a lot.
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Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy medications can decrease saliva production until the completion of treatment. Cancer radiation, especially to the head and neck areas, can damage salivary glands and produce dry mouth.
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Medical conditions. Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and autoimmune diseases can contribute to xerostomia.
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Mouth-breathing. If you sleep with your mouth open, you may experience dry mouth, especially in the morning.
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Alcohol. Drinking alcohol dries the soft tissues in your mouth and can contribute to the formation of oral cancer.
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Tobacco. Smoking or chewing tobacco products has many adverse effects on your health, including xerostomia and oral cancer.
What Are the Solutions to Help with Dry Mouth?
The cause of your dry mouth determines the treatment, which might include one or more of the following:
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Changing a medication.
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Prescription or over-the-counter rinses to moisten your mouth.
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Artificial saliva.
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Saliva stimulant medications.
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Custom-made dental fluoride trays to protect your teeth.
How Can I Prevent Dry Tongue?
Managing and preventing dry mouth is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Several measures you can take include:
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Stay hydrated with plenty of clean water throughout the day.
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Use sugar-free candy and chewing gum in moderation.
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Try to minimize all mouth-breathing.
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Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
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Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and avoid salty foods.
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Use an artificial saliva product.
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Use a humidifier in your bedroom at night.
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Avoid mouth rinses that contain alcohol.
Schedule an Appointment
A dry mouth can lead to dental cavities and gum disease. Call us today to schedule an appointment with Trident General Dentistry to get help with dry mouth and its complications.