HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Dry mouth
Waha maroke
If your body doesn't make enough saliva to wet (lubricate) the inside of your mouth, you'll get a dry mouth. This can cause problems with speech, taste, chewing and swallowing. It also increases your risk of developing tooth decay and getting mouth infections.
Symptoms of a dry mouth can include:
- difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking
- thick or stringy saliva
- a feeling of sticky dryness in your mouth
- waking at night with your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth
- a dry, rough sore tongue
- a burning sensation in your mouth
- mouth ulcers
- sore, cracked lips
- oral thrush (also called oral candida)
- difficulty or pain when wearing false teeth (dentures)
- changes in your taste
- bad breath.
Causes of a dry mouth
Many things can cause a dry mouth. These are some of the common causes.
Being unwell
Some auto-immune conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome and Parkinson disease can cause a dry mouth. It can also be a symptom of HIV/Aids, diabetes and anxiety disorders.
Radiation therapy
People who have had radiation to their head and neck have a high risk of getting a dry mouth. This is partly because they produce less saliva.
Chemotherapy
Some drugs used in chemotherapy may make your saliva thick, so your mouth feels dry. This is usually temporary.
Medications
A dry mouth can be a side effect of many medications, including those used to treat depression, chronic (persistent) pain, allergies and high blood pressure.
Nerve damage
A head or neck injury or a stroke can damage the nerves of your salivary glands, which then do not produce enough saliva.
Other causes
Dehydration, smoking and age-related changes, such as menopause can cause a dry mouth.
Treating a dry mouth
- Sip water regularly, as this will help to keep your mouth fresh.
- Carry a bottle to sip water, sugar-free drinks or weak iced tea. A mix of water and glycerine might help.
- Avoid commercially prepared drinks, juices and energy drinks, as these are very acidic and can damage your teeth.
- Eat small amounts of soft, moist food (see the guidelines for a soft foods diet).
- Add extra gravy or sauces to your food to make it easier to swallow. Try instant packet sauces from the supermarket for a fast tasty sauce. Add extra liquid to thin the sauces if necessary.
- Choose foods that you do not need to chew much.
- Have small sips of water between mouthfuls of food.
- Have a water bottle or glass of water by your bed at night.
- Use a humidifier at night.
- See the ways to moisten your mouth below.
Foods you may need to avoid
Some foods make a dry mouth worse. Try to avoid them. They include:
- acidic fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruits, kiwifruit and fresh tomatoes
- spicy or salty foods such as curry, chilli and seasoned chips
- dry coarse foods such as toast, grainy breads and cereals, crackers, cakes, buns, muffins and scones
- sugary sweets and confectionery – a dry mouth makes tooth decay more likely.
Soften cereals and muesli by adding milk and leaving them to soak for a few minutes or mixing with yoghurt and leaving in the fridge overnight.
Ways to moisten your mouth
- Talk to your dentist, pharmacist or radiation team about a mouthwash that will be suitable.
- Brush your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste.
- Gently floss and brush your teeth after meals.
- Make sure you see your dentist regularly.
- Chew sugar-free chewing gum, preferably containing xylitol. You can get this from a supermarket or pharmacy.
- Talk to your dentist or pharmacist about using oral lubricants such as GC Dry Mouth Gel or Biotene Oral Balance. You could also try coconut oil.
- Add one drop of peppermint essence to 100 ml of grapeseed oil and apply a drop or two to your mouth when it starts to get dry.
- Suck crushed ice.
You should also talk to your dentist about how to protect your teeth from the dental decay that often happens when you have a dry mouth.
Written by Nutrition and Dietetics, Canterbury DHB. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2022.
Review key: HIDRY-74891
