Can You Smoke and Not Get Dry Socket

Causes of Dry Mouth

A persistently dry mouth can be more than just annoying — it may be related to a more serious issue. Learn more about what causes dry mouth symptoms so you can decide what to do about it. It could be that some behavioral changes will solve the problem.

Dry Mouth Basics

Clinically speaking, dry mouth symptoms are more specific than just feeling a little parched. Serious symptoms can include difficulty speaking or swallowing, hoarseness, dry tongue and changes to your sense of taste. People who suffer from diagnosable dry mouth will experience symptoms like this persistently, meaning either the majority of the time or all the time. Just experiencing these symptoms once or twice in your life doesn't necessarily mean you have a problem. Aside from the discomfort dry mouth can cause, it can also cause bad breath and may lead to dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. That means it's not necessarily something to take lightly.

Dry Mouth as a Side Effect

Often, dry mouth is a side effect of some other medical treatment. For example, chemotherapy patients and those who receive radiation therapy to their head or neck may experience dry mouth as a side effect of their cancer treatments. Medications may also cause dry mouth, including both over-the-counter and prescription drugs such as antihistamines, painkillers and depression. People who use recreational drugs such as meth, and those who use either recreational or medicinal marijuana may also experience dry mouth, depending on their response to the drugs. Alcohol and tobacco use could also contribute to dry mouth symptoms.

Other Causes of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth isn't always brought on by medications or recreational drugs. Other issues can be the culprit as well. Elderly people may experience dry mouth simply due to aging, but more serious problems can be associated with dry mouth. For example, people with autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes, HIV or AIDS can experience dry mouth as a symptom. People who experience nerve damage to the head or neck may also find they start experiencing persistent dry mouth after this damage occurs.

When to See a Doctor

Because dry mouth can be associated with serious issues, or can be a bothersome side effect to a medication for which there may be a substitute, it's a good idea to see your doctor when you experience these symptoms. However, if there's an obvious cause for your dry mouth — if you sleep with your mouth open and experience dry mouth symptoms in the morning, for example — you might be able to address the problem yourself.

Treatments

There are some things you can try to do to manage your dry mouth symptoms. Behavioral changes, such as quitting or cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, smoking and drug use associated with dry mouth, can make a difference. You can also try to do things that improve mouth moisture, like chewing sugar-free gum or using an oral rinse specifically designed to promote moisture. Even running a humidifier in your bedroom at night might help, states the Mayo Clinic.

More From QuestionsAnswered.net

Can You Smoke and Not Get Dry Socket

Source: https://www.questionsanswered.net/article/causes-dry-mouth?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740012%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

Share this post