The incidence of dry mouth is on the rise. As the population ages, the use of medication increase as the survival rate increases. A large side effect of medications is a dry mouth. Many respiratory and alimentary conditions can create a dry mouth. Of course, dental problems can lead to dry mouth, as well as social habits.

The mouth cops it from all directions, both internally and externally.

To make matters worse, the state of a dry mouth can exacerbate health conditions and even cause an even drier mouth! Vicious cycle!

A dry mouth leads to saliva to be less watery and more mucus. The mucus makes it harder to swallow and digest food. The thick gluggy mucus interferes with breathing making person cough continuously. This tires the person out.

The surface of the mouth and tongue become very sore and even have a burning sensation which can be unbearable. Any inflammation in the body produces chemicals that is attracted to other areas of the body that are inflamed. Hence the vicious cycle

The normal watery saliva acts like a buffer to neutralise acidity in the mouth and on the teeth. Dry mouth is prone to acid loving bacteria that cause decay and gum problems. The acid environment dissolves the surface of the enamel making it soft and worn easily. Another viscous cycle!

We need to break these viscous cycles.

• Increase saliva flow such as special chewing gum
• Buffer acidity with alkaline water
• Hydrate 
• Use a saliva substitute 
• Low sugar diet especially sticky forms
• Good oral hygiene
• Regular exam and clean visits and monitoring by the dentist
• Change medications, if possible, to reduce dry mouth side effect
• Clean tongue of any film or coating