A dry mouth might not be a major concern for most Brits but although it's common it could also be a red flag for five serious illnesses, one leading dentist has warned.
It can be linked to things like snoring, medication, smoking, or too much alcohol and even caused by producing less salvia as we get older.
However, poor oral health can also be a red flag for serious, and potentially life-threatening, illnesses like diabetes, a stroke and even HIV, reports the Mirror.
Dr Azad Eyrumlu, of leading private dental firm Banning Dental Group, said that a persistent dry mouth can often be a sign of something going wrong elsewhere in the body.
He said: "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."
Dry mouth could be a red flag for:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- HIV
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Sjogren's syndrome
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