What Is Chronic Dry Mouth?

Chronic dry mouth is a serious health condition, especially if it goes on for a long time. If you suffer from dry mouth three or more times per week, or suffer from it daily, you qualify as a chronic case. Those who have dry mouth less than this may simply be dehydrated or may be experiencing the condition due to a cold or flu. In situations where your case seems to be chronic dry mouth, and lasts for at least several weeks, it is necessary to better understand the cause of the condition. You are likely to need help overcoming this condition.

Symptoms for Chronic Dry Mouth

The following are some of the symptoms commonly associated with chronic dry mouth. Your symptoms may be slightly different. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in a severe form, or if you are experiencing them on a regular basis, you suffer from a chronic condition.

• A burning sensation usually on the tongue
• You have difficulty swallowing
• You struggle to chew
• You have crackled lips or cuts on the lip
• You have mouth sores that are or are not painful
• You have a dry feeling in the mouth and/or in your throat that may not be quenched with water, or the feeling returns shortly after drinking.
• You have a sticky feeling in your mouth, caused by a lack of enough moisture.
• You have frequent bad breath.
• You have a metallic like taste when you are chewing something in your mouth.
• You have a reduced ability to taste the foods you are eating.

Many of these conditions may not seem like they are a big deal, but they can be especially when the condition is persistent or when the condition leaves you suffering in pain. Also important is that the condition can often lead to worsening symptoms. For example, because your mouth does not have the necessary amount of saliva, it will struggle to flush bacteria out of your mouth. That can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

The good news is that even if you do have chronic dry mouth, there are options to overcome it. Improving your dental hygiene with treatments such as OraMD can help. You may need to switch medications or get help for a condition that is causing the dry mouth (such as a medical condition like diabetes). Even for those with minor dry mouth symptoms, making changes now can reduce the long-term impact this condition has on your long-term health.