When it comes to illness, having a dry mouth is one of the more common symptoms that many people tend to overlook.
However, according to one leading dentist, it can be a sign of five serious illnesses that people should keep a wary eye out for.
While it may often be benign, such as less saliva being produced as you grow older or linked to other issues, like snoring, medication, smoking, or too much alcohol.
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Poor oral health can also be a sign of more serious, and potentially life-threatening, illnesses like diabetes, a stroke and even HIV.
Dr Azad Eyrumlu, of leading private dental firm Banning Dental Group, explained that a dry mouth can more often be a sign of something going wrong elsewhere in the body.
He told the Mirror: “A dry mouth can be a sign something’s not right elsewhere.
“This can manifest itself with symptoms such as a sticky feeling in the mouth, a dry or sore throat, difficulty chewing or swallowing or even bad breath.
“Certain health conditions such as a stroke, diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease can show themselves in this way, while these symptoms can also be an indicator of an autoimmune disorder such as HIV or Sjogren’s syndrome.”
Dr Eyrumlu added: “When you visit a dentist, we don’t just look out for your oral health. We are trained in how to spot certain wider problems with your general health, too.
“It’s vital to keep a close eye on your own health and if you do notice persistent symptoms of a dry mouth then you must highlight this with your GP.”
A dry mouth could be a red flag for:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- HIV
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Xerostomia is a condition where salivary glands fail to produce sufficient saliva to keep the mouth moist and while we may not consider how important it is, spit plays a key role in our oral health as it helps neutralise acids produced by bacteria and also wash away food particles.
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