The connection between dry mouth and dentures is a topic that is often overlooked but affects the daily lives of countless individuals. For denture wearers, saliva plays a pivotal role in both comfort and oral health. It acts as a natural lubricant, making it easier for dentures to fit well and comfortably, as well as helping form a vacuum beneath the dentures to keep them in place. So what if you have dry mouth and wear dentures?

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.

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterised by high blood sugar levels, and which affects millions of people worldwide. One common symptom of diabetes is dry mouth, clinically referred to as xerostomia, and which can significantly impact oral health and overall well-being.

The condition is caused by the immune system damaging healthy parts of the body – in particular the fluid producing areas, hence the dry eyes and dry mouth. But other areas of the body can also be affected, including the joints and nerves. And it is the dry eyes and dry mouth that are the most common symptoms of this disorder.

If you are experiencing dry mouth symptoms or a sore and sensitive mouth, you may struggle to find the right oral care products. It is easy to stop using or not use a product at all if you feel they are going to cause more discomfort than relief.

Mouth Cancer Action Month is held in November every year and its aim is to educate and raise awareness to check the mouth for early signs of mouth cancer. According to Mouth Cancer Foundation, 8864 people in the UK were diagnosed with Mouth Cancer last year. Did you know, it takes less than a minute to check and could save your life?

Everyone suffers from a dry mouth from time to time, whether that is due to nerves or dehydration. But it should be temporary, and sipping water should help.

However, for some people, their dry mouth is more severe and doesn’t disappear, even with water! These people have a clinically dry mouth – sometimes referred to as xerostomia.

The most common cause of a clinically dry mouth is medication, and in particular, multiple medications.

If you are suffering with or showing signs of a dry mouth, it is important to treat your symptoms to keep your mouth healthy and comfortable.

Having a dry mouth can be unpleasant and can actually have other implications too. With a lack of saliva, the mouth is susceptible to infections, tooth decay and gum disease as well as a sore tongue, cracked lips and bad breath to name a few. Saliva is an incredibly important substance with many functions; it helps protect your mouth, breaks down food and starts the digestive process, as well as helping you to swallow and speak.

One of the questions we most commonly get asked is why mouths get dry at night, and more importantly what you can do about it.  In our recent blog, we give more information to help dry mouth sufferers at night.

Every day we receive calls, emails and letters from people who are finding their mouths are feeling dry and sensitive. And the number 1 question is usually - 'why is my mouth dry?'

To be honest there is no single answer as dry mouth can be caused by a number of factors - medications, underlying health issues, cancer treatment - and that will differ from person to person. But the simple answer is that your mouth is dry either because you are not producing enough saliva, or the saliva you are producing is not great quality. 

Regardless of the causal factor the universal truth is that dry mouth ranges from 'annoying' to 'really upsetting' for everyone who suffers.

So what to do?

We would definitely recommend speaking to your GP [or cancer nurse, consultant, dentist, hygienist etc.] to make sure there is nothing too serious happening. It's unlikely but always best to rule it out. 

And then consider ways to make your mouth feel more comfortable. This might include reducing your alcohol & caffeine consumption, avoiding acidic food & drink and stopping smoking [if you do]. 

You might also want to try products designed to help moisturise your mouth, such as Oralieve. 

Oralieve products are designed to replicate [as closely as possible] the action of saliva. It might take a bit of getting used to, but persevere and see how your mouth feels after a week or so. 

Feel free to contact us if you would like to chat through what products might be most appropriate for you, or take our dry mouth quiz which will make some recommendations.