Understanding Dry Mouth

The persistent feeling of a dry mouth is called Xerostomia, otherwise known as Dry Mouth

Many of us have experienced moments in our lives when our mouths have felt uncomfortably dry, like during a stressful situation. But, if your mouth frequently feels dry, you might have Dry Mouth.

Dry Mouth can affect your day-to-day life

With 86% of Dry Mouth sufferers noticing symptoms daily, Dry Mouth can make routine aspects of life, like eating, swallowing, and speaking difficult. But even if you don’t experience these symptoms, it is important to tend to your dry mouth, as the dryness (lack of saliva) can lead to long-term oral health consequences, including:

  • Bad breath
  • Cavities*
  • Gingivitis
  • Mouth infections

* Up to three times increased risk of cavities

Saliva is important to your oral health

Typically, your mouth produces 1 liter of saliva a day, which is enough to fill almost 3 soda cans. Dry Mouth can occur when the salivary glands don't produce enough saliva. That’s a problem, because saliva has many important functions. It keeps your mouth moist and comfortable; helps you digest food; protects your teeth from decay; and helps prevent infections by controlling bacteria in the mouth. So when you don’t have enough saliva, your oral health could be at risk.

Could medications be
causing your Dry Mouth?

Many people assume Dry Mouth is a result of getting older, but that’s not quite true. The primary cause is medication usage. There are more than 500 over-the-counter and prescription medicines that can cause Dry Mouth, including decongestants, antihistamines, pain relievers, and diuretics. Plus, the more medicines you take, the greater your chances are of developing Dry Mouth.

Use Biotène® to help manage your Dry Mouth symptoms

Try using Biotène® Dry Mouth Oral Rinse for soothing Dry Mouth symptom relief and fresher breath.

Talk to your doctor to learn more about how to manage your Dry Mouth symptoms with Biotène®—the #1 dentist recommended Dry Mouth brand.