One of the most annoying issues that you can experience on a daily basis is having a dry mouth. Dry mouth affects a lot of people, and many do not know why it happens or have the first clue of how to deal with it. Get to know some of the important facts about dry mouth. Then, you can be sure that you schedule an appointment with your family doctor if you experience this issue in your life. 

Dry Mouth Can Be a Side Effect of Medications

A leading cause of dry mouth is medications. It is a common side effect of a myriad of medications on the market today. If you have dry mouth and recently started a new medication, ask your doctor if dry mouth is a common side effect.

If it is, ask your doctor if you should continue with the medication or try something else. Sometimes, these side effects fade over time, or the benefits of the medication are more important than some mild discomfort from dry mouth. 

Dry Mouth Can Be a Sign of Diabetes

Though medical professionals are not fully sure why, dry mouth can be a sign of diabetes. People with diabetes often experience excessive thirst and dry mouth, especially when the condition has not yet been diagnosed or treated. Having chronic dry mouth when already diagnosed with diabetes can be a sign that medications need to be adjusted. 

If you are experiencing chronic dry mouth, you may want to schedule an appointment with your family doctor as soon as possible to have a checkup and have lab work done. It is better to be safe than sorry when diabetes could be involved. 

Dry Mouth Can Damage Your Gums and Teeth

Chronic dry mouth can have an effect on your oral health. Dry mouth can negatively affect both your gums and your teeth. Your gums need moisture in the mouth to stay soft and supple and to properly support your teeth. What can happen if they do not get proper moisture is gum disease. Gum disease damages the gums themselves and the teeth as the infection can affect the roots of the teeth.

If you have chronic dry mouth, no matter what the cause, talk to your dentist. They can check you for signs of gum disease and prescribe treatments if you have it. The dentist can also recommend products like sprays that help to moisten the mouth and gums, alleviating and preventing some of the issues created by chronic dry mouth. 

Now that you know some of the important facts about dry mouth, you can get to your doctor as soon as you notice this bothersome symptom.