- What are the causes of dry mouth?
- What are the symptoms of dry mouth?
- Can dry mouth cause problems with my oral health?
- Preventing dry mouth in cold weather
Colder temperatures in Toronto bring many changes to our city. Falling leaves, warmer jackets, and hot drinks are all part and parcel of welcoming the cooler temperatures of fall and winter.
However, you might also notice more people with bad breath, known as halitosis. This does not mean that everyone has suddenly stopped brushing their teeth as soon as fall arrived. Chances are, their mouths have contracted a condition known as xerostomia, which is a fancy (and scary-sounding) word for “dry mouth”, which can lead to bad breath and other adverse health conditions.
Believe it or not, cold temperatures play a significant role in drying out our mouths. However, although we may not be able to control the temperature, we can prevent dry mouth by first understanding its causes, symptoms, and the preventative measures to avoid it.
What are the causes of dry mouth?
Simply put, dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands inside the mouth do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth wet.
The salivary glands may not be working properly for several reasons, including:
- Aging
- Reactions to certain medicines or therapies
- Nerve damage to the head or neck
- Certain health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases
- Tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drug use
- Snoring or mouth breathing
Falling temperatures can also contribute to dry mouth. Cold air is typically dry, and breathing it in through our mouths can lead to the symptoms of dry mouth, which are pretty unpleasant.
What are the symptoms of dry mouth?
Your body can signal that the mouth is dry in several different ways. You can experience just one of these symptoms or several at the same time:
- A dry or sticky feeling in your mouth
- Saliva that feels thick and stringy
- Bad breath
- Difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing
- Dry or sore throat
- Hoarseness when speaking
- Dry or grooved tongue
- Changes in your sense of taste
- Problems wearing dentures
Although these symptoms do not seem very dangerous in and of themselves, they can lead to severe health outcomes that nobody wants.
Can dry mouth cause problems with my oral health?
At first, it might seem that bad breath is the worst result of a dry mouth. The truth, however, is that it can lead to serious oral health problems if left untreated.
For example, saliva is critical in keeping your mouth clean by washing away small food particles and built-up sugar deposits left behind between brushing. Without these regular “cleanings”, plaque can develop on your teeth, allowing harmful bacterial acid to degrade the hard enamel that protects your teeth’s soft interior. Once the enamel is compromised, you may begin to experience tooth sensitivity, tooth pain, and potentially tooth decay and cavities.
The same acids that eat away at your tooth can also harm your gums. The result may be red, puffy, sensitive gums that signal periodontal disease. Untreated periodontal disease can cause your gums to recede, which increases the risk of tooth loss.
You may also develop other oral conditions, such as thrush (a yeast infection in your mouth), mouth sores, sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth, or cracked lips.
Preventing dry mouth in cold weather
Contracting dry mouth when the weather gets cold might be easy, but following these dry mouth dental tips to prevent it from occurring is even easier!
Hydration for oral health: drink more water between and during meals
If this seems like a no-brainer, that is because it is! Staying hydrated helps maintain optimal saliva production. Drinking water also helps flush away food particles between brushings, helping to keep your mouth clean and healthy. The amount of water you need to stay hydrated varies with one’s overall health, activity levels, and other factors. If you are unsure what your daily water intake should be, speak with your family doctor.
Eat foods with high water content
You might have difficulty drinking enough water to stay hydrated, so you can supplement with foods that have a high water content. Hydrating foods include cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, melons, celery, and apples. Low-sodium soups and stews can also give you added hydration, and they are the perfect comfort foods for cooler weather.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and acidic food
While focusing on eating more food with high water content, you should also avoid consuming products that can dry your mouth out, such as citrus fruits and juices. Additionally, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages are diuretics, which means they cause your body to get rid of water. Avoid or limit your intake of coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, wine, beer, and spirits to stay hydrated. There is also alcohol in some mouthwashes that can cause dry mouth, so use an alcohol-free rinse instead.
Use a humidifier
Dry air coming in from the outside or through your home heating system can cause dry mouth, especially at night. If you wake up with a dry mouth, try using a humidifier to moisten the air while you sleep. Humidifiers can also clear up nasal congestion, making you less likely to breathe through your mouth overnight.
Quit smoking and using tobacco products
Smoking, vaping, and chewing tobacco can cause dry mouth, along with a wide variety of other oral health problems. Talk to your doctor for recommendations on quitting as soon as possible.
Use sugar-free lozenges or gum
You can also help keep your mouth moist by sucking on sugar-free lozenges or chewing sugar-free gum. Doing so will also help promote saliva production.
Follow a regular brushing and flossing routine
The link between cold weather and oral health is clear and supported by following a regular oral health routine that includes brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once daily.
Another critical part of your oral health program is visiting your dentist at least twice yearly for a dental checkup. If you need help preventing dry mouth in fall or have any other concerns about your teeth and gums, we would love to help you protect your oral health for a bright, beautiful smile that will last a lifetime!
Learn more about oral care for dry mouth in fall from the experts at Yonge Eglinton Dental in Toronto
The dental professionals at Yonge Eglinton Dental focus on ensuring your teeth look great and are as strong and healthy as possible all year round. Make an appointment for an office visit today by calling our office at 416-932-2222 or booking online. We look forward to seeing you!
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