Although, it can be quite uncomfortable. Dry mouth is what it sounds like, not enough saliva. How someone’s mouth gets to be that way, how regularly it affects them, and what the long term implications of it are can vary. But, there is one specific underlying cause that can affect a person’s life much more than just creating discomfort.
What Does It Feel Like?
If your mouth is dry all the time, maybe you don’t realize you have it. It’s all you know and so you’ve gotten used to it.
Regardless of your situation, here’s what its’ like:
- Minimal saliva
- Tongue sticks to the cheeks, lips and teeth
- Eating, speaking, and swallowing are difficult
- Bad breath
- Dry and cracked lips
Causes of Dry Mouth
Well, the things listed above sound unpleasant to say the least. So, if you or someone you know has chronic dry mouth, why is that? There are a few reasons, including dehydration, dysfunctional salivary glands, anxiety, and mouth breathing.
Beyond the implications of the first three, let’s go back to that underlying cause that can affect a person’s life much more than just discomfort. And it starts with mouth breathing.
Airway Dysfunction
Why do people breathe through their mouths? Usually, the answer is airway dysfunction. Healthy breathers favor their nose for a variety of reasons including that it’s natural, filters air better, oxygenates the blood more efficiently, and so on.
Breathing through your mouth is one of the primary causes of dry mouth and when your airway doesn’t function properly, it’s also your only option. Consider for a moment how that airway dysfunction might affect you while you’re sleeping. You’re unconscious, and have an airway that forces you to breathe in a way that isn’t ideal. This often signifies a sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea.
How Does It All Come Together?
Airway dysfunction often causes people to breathe through their mouth. And breathing through your mouth all day everyday is an almost guaranteed path to dry mouth. Airway dysfunction also means you likely can’t breath well while you’re asleep either, what we call obstructive sleep apnea. And if you don’t know already, sleep apnea means frequent interruptions in breathing while you’re sleeping, which equals danger.
Dry mouth also means creating a welcoming environment for cavity-causing bacteria. So why is dry mouth more than just uncomfortable? Because it could be a sign of airway dysfunction, life-threatening sleep apnea, dry mouth, cavities, bad breath, and more.
Schedule a Consultation
Living with dry mouth, or think you may suffer from airway dysfunction? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Pamela Marzban at 703-323-8200. Your breath, teeth, breathing, and sleep will thank you.
