A dry mouth is more than just thirst. Saliva makes eating, swallowing and talking easier, protects the oral mucosa and helps keep dentures in place. If there is too little saliva or the saliva becomes very thick, a prosthesis may become looser, stick or cause painful spots.
How do you notice that your mouth is too dry?
- you often need small sips of water, including at night;
- the tongue, lips or cheeks feel dry, rough or sticky;
- dry food sticks in the mouth or is difficult to swallow;
- talking, tasting or sleeping becomes less easy;
- you have a burning sensation, cracks, wounds or an unpleasant taste;
- the breath smells different;
- your dentures slide, pry or cause pressure points more easily;
- you are more likely to develop cavities in remaining teeth or roots.
The medical term for the feeling of a dry mouth is xerostomia. Sometimes the mouth feels dry even though there is still sufficient saliva when measured. That is why we not only look at the complaint, but also at the mucous membrane, the prosthesis, your medications and other possible causes.
What can cause dry mouth?
A dry mouth can be temporary, for example due to tension, talking for a long time, fever or drinking too little. Long-term complaints can have various causes:
- medicines: some medications for high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, allergies, pain, Parkinson's and excessive urination, among others, can reduce saliva production;
- multiple medications at the same time;
- mouth breathing, snoring or oxygen use;
- dehydration by little drinking, heat, diarrhea, vomiting, or fever;
- smoking, alcohol and high levels of caffeine;
- stress or anxiety;
- diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome or diabetes;
- radiotherapy to the head and neck or certain cancer treatments;
- changes associated with aging or menopause.
Never stop taking prescribed medication yourself. Discuss the complaint with your GP or pharmacist. Sometimes the time, dosage or type of medicine can be adjusted, but this must always be done safely and in consultation.
Why is saliva important in dentures?
There is normally a thin layer of saliva between a complete denture and the oral mucosa. This helps with adhesion and reduces friction. With a dry mouth, the denture can become less stable. Thick, tough saliva can actually cause the denture to stick to the roof of the mouth and cause friction when moving.
Dry oral tissues are more vulnerable. Red areas, cracks, pressure sores and fungal infections can develop. A loose or painful denture is therefore not always just a problem with the fit; the quantity and quality of saliva may play a role.
What can you try yourself?
Keep the mouth moist
- drink small sips of water throughout the day;
- put water within reach at night;
- if necessary, use a moisturizing mouth gel, mouth spray or saliva substitute from a drugstore or pharmacy;
- for mouthwash, choose a mild, alcohol-free variety and stop if it stings or dries out;
- use a humidifier if dry air or open-mouth sleeping is a factor.
Stimulate saliva if still possible
Sugar-free chewing gum can stimulate saliva if you can chew safely and your teeth or dentures allow it. Sugar-free lozenges may sometimes help, but avoid acidic sweets and drinks, which can cause tooth decay and erosion. Chewing gum is not always advisable with complete dentures, jaw pain or swallowing difficulties; ask for advice if unsure.
Adjust food and drink
- soften dry food with gravy, sauce, yogurt, or applesauce;
- take small bites and, if necessary, sip a sip with food;
- limit sugary and acidic products, especially between meals;
- avoid strongly spicy, hard or very salty food if it hurts;
- limit alcohol and stop smoking.
Extra oral care for dryness
With a dry mouth, careful cleaning is extra important. Brush remaining teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth as recommended. Clean a removable denture daily with a denture brush and water or the personally recommended product. Also clean the tongue, palate, jaw edges and the mucous membrane under the denture.
It is preferable not to wear the prosthesis at night, unless we have agreed otherwise due to recent treatment. A dirty denture in a dry mouth gives bacteria and fungi an extra chance. Do not use regular toothpaste on the plastic or aggressive cleaning agents.
If you have your own teeth or roots, extra fluoride may be necessary. Discuss this with the dentist or dental hygienist. Only use a fluoride rinse or toothpaste with a higher fluoride concentration that is appropriate for your personal risk.
How can we help?
We can assess whether the prosthesis is chafing due to dryness, whether the bite and fit are still correct and whether there are wounds, redness or indications of a fungal infection. Sometimes adjusting or relining the prosthesis helps. If the cause is likely to be medications, a disease or the salivary glands, we recommend contacting your GP, dentist, pharmacist or a specialized saliva center.
Bring an up-to-date medication list to your appointment. Also tell us when the dry mouth started, when it is worst and what remedies you have tried.
When to contact us?
- dry mouth persists or becomes markedly worse;
- eating, swallowing, speaking, or sleeping becomes difficult;
- you often get pressure sores, cracks, white spots or a burning mouth;
- your prosthesis suddenly fits differently or less securely;
- you unintentionally lose weight or do not consume enough food and drink;
- you are very thirsty and urinate noticeably a lot;
- you have recently had radiation or other treatment in the head and neck area.
Contact your GP or out-of-hours GP service immediately if you have signs of severe dehydration, drowsiness, confusion or very little urine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does drinking lots of water always help?
Water temporarily relieves the complaint, but does not always solve reduced saliva production. If you always have to drink or wake up often during the night, it is wise to investigate the cause.
Can my dentures become looser due to a dry mouth?
Yes. Saliva helps with adhesion and reduces friction. Dryness can therefore cause both looseness and painful friction. Have the fit and mouth assessed.
Can I use Listerine for a dry mouth?
A strong or alcohol-containing mouthwash may sting or worsen the dry feeling. Choose a mild, alcohol-free product intended for dry mouth instead. Mouthwash does not replace water, oral moisturising gel or treatment of the cause. Also read our page about mouthwashes.
Resources and further information
This information is general and does not replace a personal assessment. The best approach depends on the cause, your general health and the type of prosthesis.