There can be many causes of dry mouth.  While dry mouth is most usually associated with other medical conditions, lifestyle can play a key role in this problem.  Dry mouth is considered to be more of a “side effect” meaning that there is another underlying cause of the problem and dry mouth does not often occur just on its own.

Tobacco products like cigarettes, and chewing tobacco are common causes of dry mouth.  The heat and chemical in the smoke from cigarettes as well as the chemicals that come in contact with the gums with chewing tobacco irritate the gums.  This irritation will change the normal chemical balance inside the mouth and can cause the mouth to dry out, and can cause other problems like swollen and infected gums and can even lead to oral cancers over time. Because of the drying effect on the mouth, smokers often struggle with bad breath because there isn’t enough saliva present to help wash away the odor causing bacteria.

If you wish to continue to smoking but suffer from dry mouth you may look for over the counter products that can be placed in the mouth to replace saliva when your mouth is dry. If these products are not helpful, you may need to see your doctor or dentist to get a prescription for something stronger that may help. Also chewing sugarless gum or taking frequent sips of water or chewing on ice chips can also help with symptoms.

Certainly as with any tobacco product, your best cure is going to be stopping the use of the products all together. Make sure to see your dentist regularly (at least twice a year) for cleanings and to also have the inside of your mouth and tongue checked for any signs of lesions or changes that may lead to bigger problems like cancer.