Dry mouth: causes, treatment and when to see a GP

The NHS lists the main causes of a dry mouth, and says that sometimes a dry mouth that does not go away may be caused by a condition like diabetes or Sjögren's syndrome. The Oral Health Foundation adds ageing and says many prescription medicines can reduce saliva.

Treatment starts with the cause. If you think a medicine is causing it, the Oral Health Foundation says to speak to your doctor or pharmacist because there may be an alternative with fewer side effects. A blocked nose can be treated, and the NHS says a pharmacist may suggest decongestants.

If the cause is a condition such as Sjögren's syndrome, the NHS says there is currently no cure, but a doctor can prescribe medicines to help keep the mouth wet and help glands produce more saliva, and you may get some treatments such as mouth gel and mouthwash from a pharmacist.

For symptom relief, the NHS says to ask a pharmacist about treatments you can buy to keep your mouth moist, such as gels, sprays, tablets or lozenges. Not all products suit everyone. The Oral Health Foundation also lists special toothpaste, mouthwashes and artificial saliva products, and says your dental team or pharmacist can advise which may help.

The NHS suggests the following things you can do yourself, and some things to avoid.

• Drink plenty of cold water, taking regular sips during the day and keeping some water by your bed at night.

• Suck on ice cubes or ice lollies, or sip cold unsweetened drinks.

• Chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets.

• Use lip balm if your lips are also dry.

• Brush your teeth twice a day and use alcohol-free mouthwash.

• Avoid lots of alcohol, caffeine (such as tea and coffee) and fizzy drinks; avoid acidic (like lemons), spicy, salty or sugary foods; do not smoke.

• Do not sleep with dentures in, and do not use acidic artificial saliva products if you have your own teeth.

• Choose softer, moist foods and add sauces or gravies to make swallowing easier (Oral Health Foundation).

The Oral Health Foundation says that when saliva levels drop, your mouth can feel dry, sticky and uncomfortable. It lists a dry or sticky feeling, difficulty chewing or swallowing, problems speaking clearly, a sore or burning mouth, waking at night with a dry mouth, and changes in taste.

Without enough saliva you may be more likely to have tooth decay, gum disease, mouth infections, bad breath, sore or cracked lips, and poor sleep. The NHS says to see a GP if your dry mouth comes with problems with your sense of taste that are not going away.

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, happens when your mouth does not produce enough saliva. Saliva is important: it helps you chew and swallow food, speak comfortably and protect your teeth and gums.

In Sjögren's syndrome, the NHS says the glands that produce fluid, such as tears and saliva, stop working properly. A very dry mouth in Sjögren's can cause difficulty swallowing, tooth decay and gum disease, and the NHS says dry eyes often occur alongside it.

The NHS says breathing through your mouth at night, which can happen if you have a blocked nose or you sleep with your mouth open, can cause a dry mouth. It suggests keeping some water by your bed at night, and a pharmacist may suggest decongestants if a blocked nose is the cause. The Oral Health Foundation lists waking at night with a dry mouth and poor sleep among the effects.

The NHS says to see a GP if you have a dry mouth and any of the following. The GP can check what the cause might be and recommend treatment for it, and a pharmacist may be able to suggest things to provide relief while you are waiting to talk to a GP.

• It makes it difficult when talking or eating.

• Your mouth is still dry after trying home or pharmacy treatments for a few weeks.

• You are struggling to eat regularly.

• You are having problems with your sense of taste that are not going away.

• Your mouth is painful, red, swollen or bleeding.

• You have sore white patches in your mouth.

• You think a prescribed medicine might be causing your dry mouth.

• You have other symptoms, like needing to pee a lot or dry eyes.

Start with a pharmacist or your dental team, who can advise on products and on protecting your teeth. The NHS says a GP can look for the cause, including medicines, diabetes and Sjögren's syndrome, and the Oral Health Foundation suggests your dental team can help identify the cause and protect your mouth.

Some people choose a private dentist or hygienist for more frequent check-ups, since a dry mouth raises the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If you see a private clinician, let your GP know about any new medicines or treatments.