1-2-4-Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a condition where there is less saliva than what is needed to keep the mouth moist, comfortable, and healthy.  Dry mouth is caused by less saliva leading to dry soft tissues and enlarged and cracked tongue.  It may cause difficulty with chewing and swallowing, burning sensation, and general oral discomfort.

Dry mouth can cause a lot of problems in the mouth including:

• More cavities (yellow arrows)
• Changes in taste
• Skin ulceration
• Poorly fitting dentures
• Difficulty with eating
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty with speech

Dry mouth can be caused by:

• Regular breathing through the mouth
• Tobacco use
• Taking multiple medications
• Cancer treatment
• Other types of diseases

Many medications can cause dry mouth.  The best way to manage dry mouth is to have your provider review your medication list to reduce the side effects of dry mouth.  When dry mouth cannot be eliminated, it is important to help the  person receiving care to cope with it.