Q. I keep on getting dry mouth. Is it a sign of a dental condition?

A. You will usually get dry mouth when the salivary glands don’t produce as much saliva as your mouth needs.

This can leave your mouth feeling rather uncomfortable and increase the risk of you getting dental conditions such as tooth decay and gum disease.

You can get dry mouth due to a number of reasons.

It can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, stress and anxiety or cancer treatment. Sometimes, it can be due to a medical condition or an underlying problem that needs to be looked at further.

A lot of medications can cause this – like anti-depressants or anti-histamines - so be sure to read the information leaflet that comes with your medicine.

When you have a blocked nose, breathing in through your mouth instead of your nose can also cause your mouth to dry out.

Because saliva keeps your mouth healthy and hydrated, having a dry mouth means you may experience other problems, too.

You may feel a slight burning sensation in your mouth and have bad breath as well. The chances of mouth infections like oral thrush can also increase.

So, it’s important to ensure you maintain a proper oral hygiene routine to reduce the risks of having dental issues.

It is also a good idea to visit your dentist on a regular basis so they can identify any problems.

To stimulate your saliva glands to provide more saliva, increase your water intake and suck on sugar-free sweets or chewing gum. Avoid alcohol and coffee as these can make dry mouth worse.

* For more information about dental issues, contact Synergy Dental Clinics Bolton, email bolton@synergydental.org.uk or go to synergydental.org.uk/dentist-in-bolton