Dry Mouth

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Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth is unknown for some people, but to you it is killing you.
Pharmacist

Food is difficult to swallow, seem dry, not as tasteful as you would expect because of a dry tongue.

And since saliva is in short supply, some enzymes that aid in digestion or even saliva that help to prevent tooth decay will be lacking.



Lady with dry mouth

It's okay. Let's see if there is anything over the counter to help with dry mouth.

But first, let's be sure you are looking at a dry mouth and not something more serious that will need urgent care or emergency room visit.

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Dry Mouth

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Have you been diagnosed with dry mouth (xerostomia)?

Or this is your first time feeling your mouth being dry?
Pharmacist

First time Diagnosed

 

 

 

Dry Mouth

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Is it dry mouth?

Alright,
let's be sure you are looking at a dry mouth.
Pharmacist

Lack of saliva which moistens the mouth and help with digestion will make your mouth feel dry.

 

Does it feel like your saliva is thick and stringy?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Dryness of the mouth can make it feel this way.
Pharmacist

 

Does the tongue feel dry to you?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This is a symptom of a dry mouth. The tongue feels dry.
Pharmacist

 

Does food feel dry to you?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
With a dry mouth food will feel dry. This is a symptom.
Pharmacist

 

Are the corners of the mouth splitting?
Pharmacist

 

They are?
With dry mouth the corners of the mouth start splitting.
Pharmacist

Dry mouth symptoms include:

  • Thick and Stringy saliva
  • Tongue feeling dry
  • Food feeling dry
  • Corners of mouth splitting

 

Are the lips cracking?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Absence of saliva to moisten the lips will make them crack.
Pharmacist

Symptoms include:

  • Thick and Stringy saliva
  • Tongue feeling dry
  • Food feeling dry
  • Corners of mouth splitting
  • Cracking lips

 

Are you losing taste sensations?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This is a symptom of a dry mouth.
Pharmacist

Symptoms include:

  • Thick and Stringy saliva
  • Tongue feeling dry
  • Food feeling dry
  • Corners of mouth splitting
  • Cracking lips
  • Loss of taste sensations

 

Are you having difficulty speaking?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
With a dry mouth, you will have difficulty speaking.
Pharmacist

 

Do you think you have dry mouth because...

...food is hard to swallow?
Pharmacist

 

 

Are you experiencing more tooth decaying?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Tooth decay usually accompany dryness of the mouth.
Pharmacist

If you are also experiencing other symptoms described above, discuss this with your dentist or doctor.

 

Do you frequently experience soreness of the throat?
Pharmacist

 

You do?
Saliva not reaching the throat to moisturize it will make it sore.
Pharmacist

 


Those were the main symptoms of a dry mouth.
Pharmacist

You should have a pretty good idea if you are looking at a dry mouth or not by now.

Let's continue and see what may be causing this.

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Dry Mouth

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What could be the cause?

Are you currently taking prescription medications?
Pharmacist

Most prescription medications can cause dry mouth.

 

Yes?
Call the pharmacy and see if it has dry mouth as a side effect and then discuss this with your doctor.
Pharmacist

Do not stop taking the medication without your doctor's knowledge.

 

With this dry mouth, do you also have fever?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • May be looking at something serious.

Urgent Care

 

Do you have or had any diarrhea?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Sign of dehydration.

Urgent Care

 

Did you start feeling dry mouth after excessive sweating?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • May be looking at dehydration.

Urgent Care

 


There are other causes of dryness of the mouth.
Pharmacist

The important thing is to make sure you are not looking at a dehydration situation.

If the dryness of the mouth is getting worse, you should discuss this with a doctor. It is very important to find out what is causing it. Bear in mind though that dry mouth is more common as you age and can be age related.

Let's see what a pharmacist recommend to help with this dry mouth that is available over-the-counter for now.

Urgent Care Continue