A dentist has said having a persistent dry mouth could be a warning sign for five serious illnesses that people in the UK should be aware of.
According to The Mirror, Dr Azad Eyrumlu, of private dental firm Banning Dental Group, said that a persistent dry mouth can often be a sign of something that is not quite right somewhere in your body.
However, the symptom is not always something to be worried about, as most people can have a dry mouth due to dehydration, medication side effects, snoring at night and anxiety.
Dr Eyrumlu said: “A dry mouth can be a sign something’s not right elsewhere. This can manifest itself with symptoms such as a sticky feeling in the mouth, a dry or sore throat, difficulty chewing or swallowing or even bad breath.
“Certain health conditions such as a stroke, diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease can show themselves in this way, while these symptoms can also be an indicator of an autoimmune disorder such as HIV or Sjogren’s syndrome.”
5 causes of a dry mouth to be aware of
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- HIV
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Dr Eyrumlu continued to say: “When you visit a dentist, we don’t just look out for your oral health.
“We are trained in how to spot certain wider problems with your general health, too.
“It’s vital to keep a close eye on your own health and if you do notice persistent symptoms of a dry mouth then you must highlight this with your GP.”
New figures published by the Lib Dems reveal that more than 6.5 million children in England have not been seen by an NHS dentist for at least a year.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) May 2, 2023
Chairman of the British Dental Association, Eddie Crouch tells @susannareid100 and @richardm56 that the high numbers could be… pic.twitter.com/nhFDpCYiDU
How to help hydrate a dry mouth
According to the NHS website, there are plenty of ways to help ease a dry mouth, such as:
- drink plenty of cold water – take regular sips during the day and keep some water by your bed at night
- suck on ice cubes or ice lollies
- sip on cold unsweetened drinks
- chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free sweets
- use lip balm if your lips are also dry
- brush your teeth twice a day and use alcohol-free mouthwash – you're more likely to get tooth decay if you have a dry mouth
You can visit the NHS website to find out more information on how you can manage a persistent dry mouth, along with advice on what not to do and when to see a pharmacist.
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