Dry Mouth Isn’t Just Thirst: Could Your Medication Be Affecting Your Teeth?

You drink water throughout the day, but your mouth still feels unusually dry.

Maybe your throat feels dry at night. Perhaps you’re experiencing more cavities, sensitivity or discomfort than usual.

Dry mouth can have several causes, and medication is one of them.

What causes dry mouth?

The ADA explains that xerostomia, or the sensation of dry mouth, can be associated with medications, chemotherapy, head and neck radiation, certain medical conditions and other factors.

A wide range of medications can contribute to oral dryness, including some antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, blood-pressure medications, pain medications and diuretics.

This doesn’t mean a medication is necessarily the problem in your individual case.

Why does saliva matter?

Saliva does much more than keep your mouth comfortable.

It helps cleanse the mouth, supports chewing and swallowing, protects oral tissues and helps protect teeth from acids and other challenges.

When salivary flow is reduced, the risk of dental cavities, tooth sensitivity, enamel demineralization and oral infections can increase.

What should you do?

If you’ve developed persistent dry mouth, don’t simply assume you need to drink more water.

A dental evaluation can help identify oral effects and determine whether there are signs of increased dental risk.

It’s also important not to stop or change prescription medication without speaking with the prescribing healthcare professional.

At Brilliant Dental Care in Bellevue, patients can discuss persistent dry mouth and its potential effects on their oral health.

If your mouth has felt unusually dry for an extended period, contact Brilliant Dental Care to discuss your symptoms and arrange an evaluation.