Symptoms of dry mouth

Symptoms of dry mouth can impact day-to-day lives and can leave sufferers feeling self-conscious and embarrassed.

 Having a dry mouth can be more to just your mouth feeling dry or the constant need to drink water. Here we highlight the main symptoms experienced with having a dry mouth and the reasons for them.

Difficulty speaking, chewing and swallowing.

People with dry mouth may have trouble swallowing, eating and speaking due to a lack of moisture and lubrication in the mouth. In severe cases this may be noticeable during conversation.

Disturbed sleep.

During the night the mouth naturally produces a lot less saliva than during the day. People who are already suffering from a dry mouth might find themselves waking up at night more frequently to have a drink of water. Night wakings could also be due to increased urination following drinking more water in the day to try and help alleviate the feeling of dry mouth.

A change in sense of taste.

Taste is dependent on the production of saliva in the mouth, so people with dry mouth may notice a change in their sense of taste. They may also start to experience an intolerance towards spicy, salty or sour foods and drinks.

Experiencing a rough, dry tongue.

Saliva also maintains the moisture of the tongue, so a lack of salivary flow can make the tongue extremely dry, sore and red - leading to great discomfort and sometimes even a burning feeling.

A high rate of tooth decay.

Saliva helps maintain a neutral pH in the mouth and aids with swallowing. A lack of saliva can cause difficulties in buffering the acids caused by bacteria or ingested foods. As such, people with dry mouth are at a higher risk of bleeding gums and tooth decay.

Bad breath.

The lack of natural cleansing by normal saliva volume and flow can cause people to experience bad breath.

Cracked, peeling or atrophic lip.

A lack of moisture can cause sores on the lips, split skin at the corners of the lips and cracked, dry lips.

Gum disease. 

As the salivary flow is reduced, bacteria and plaque will not be flushed from the mouth and are therefore more likely to attack the teeth and gums. This leads to an increased risk of gum disease.