Signs and symptoms include:

  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking
  • Reduced/Altered taste: intolerance to spicy, salty, sour
  • Burning sensation
  • Dry/sore throat
  • Halitosis (bad breath)
  • Chapped lips
  • Hairy tongue
  • Lips/cheeks stick to teeth
  • Interrupted sleep
  • Loose dentures
  • Sore gums
  • Periodontal (gum) disease
  • Increased natural teeth sensitivity
  • Increased caries (cavities)
  • Oral Candidiasis (Thrush)

What causes dry mouth? Several potential factors:

  • Prescription and over-the-counter medications
  • Diabetes, Lupus, Parkinson’s, Sjogren’s Syndrome, HIV/AIDS
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation
  • Aging

Wearing dentures with a dry mouth isn’t easy. The condition can vary from mild to moderate to severe. I see a lot of patients that have a dry mouth; fortunately, new products, plans of action, and things to avoid can help you. In the next issue of Latest News, I will discuss these and provide a personalized daily regiment example.

Yours in good oral health,

Jon Nolan