Dry mouth is a condition that affects 1 in 4 people in the UK yet is significantly under-reported. At Oralieve we strive to understand the affect dry mouth can have on sufferers, their coping mechanisms and how they articulate the condition to family, friends and healthcare professionals. To deepen this understanding we undertook an annual survey of approximately 1000 sufferers in what is the most comprehensive survey of its kind. The survey results this year continue to highlight the issues of under-diagnosis, as well as the real-life impacts the condition can have on sufferers.

The importance of diagnosis

Results of the Dry Mouth Survey clearly demonstrate that the dental team is important in identifying dry mouth in patients, with over a quarter of sufferers reporting diagnosis by dentists or hygienists.

However, perhaps more alarming is the insight that almost 40% of sufferers have never been diagnosed by a healthcare professional, instead relying on self-diagnosis of the condition.

When it comes to managing a dry mouth, it’s important for sufferers to understand what they are experiencing is an actual ‘condition’ and that there are options for improving oral comfort and health. With the increase in prevalence, the role of the healthcare profession, especially the dental team, has never been more important.

Identified sources of dry mouth

Medications have long been identified as the most common cause of dry mouth suffering, and over 27% of the research sample identify medication as the cause of their dry mouth.

Perhaps most concerning is the finding that over a third of sufferers are unsure as to the cause of their dry mouth. This clearly highlights the importance of healthcare professional engagement in supporting patients understand the aetiology, and most importantly the management of the condition.

When do people feel dry mouth symptoms are at their worst?

Whilst 20% of dry mouth sufferers report morning is the peak time for suffering symptoms, and almost a third suffer throughout the day and night, almost 1 in 4 report night-time being the worst time for symptoms.

The impacts of night-time dry mouth is evident with over half [53%] of sufferers reporting symptoms moderately or severely affect their sleep patterns, with 68% reporting mental exhaustion and frustration from coping with their symptoms.

Impacted sleep and the associated mental exhaustion are the No 1 reported quality of life impacts reported by dry mouth sufferers.

The impacts of dry mouth

Sufferers report a number of impacts arising from their dry mouth, all of which could have physical and social implications.

However, perhaps truer insight comes from the words sufferers use to describe their dry mouths, including:

Managing dry mouth

It is clear from the research that sufferers are ‘on the hunt’ for management strategies that can help alleviate the symptoms associated with the lack of saliva, with only 3% of sufferers stating they had not previously tried any potential remedy.

The most prevalent approach is the frequent sipping of water; a tactic employed by over 80% of sufferers.

It is encouraging to note that 66% of sufferers have turned to dry mouth relief products, be that gels or sprays, with a further 52% stating sucking on sweets, and 38.5% stating chewing gums formed part of their management strategy.

Duration of suffering

Dry mouth can be a long-term condition, leaving sufferers feeling frustrated and mentally exhausted from coping with the symptoms.

Over 1 in 5 of the sufferers surveyed had been experiencing symptoms for 7 or more years, whilst a further 1 in 5 have displayed symptoms for less that 12 months, suggesting there is no slowing of new sufferers entering the category.

Summary

As the UK population continues to age, and there is an increased reliance on preventative medication, the incidence of clinically dry mouth will continue to rise.

The mental and physical impacts of suffering are clear, with disturbed sleep patterns and exhaustion arising in the majority of sufferers.

Despite the rising prevalence and the clear health impacts, many sufferers go underdiagnosed and have little understanding as to the causes of their symptoms, and potentially suitable management options.

It is acknowledged that dry mouth is an underappreciated and undermanaged condition and the impacts are clearly evidenced by the choice of words sufferers use to describe their dry mouths.  Sufferers shouldn’t need to feel ‘in pain, embarrassed or cut off from the normalities of life’.

The key to helping sufferers more effectively manage the symptoms of dry mouth is DIAGNOSIS – identifying the causes and initiating discussions about effective management beyond just sipping water.  

 

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