Dry Mouth: Not Just Thirst

Farzollah Gholizadeh and Fariba Bayrami

Dry mouth is often mistaken for simple thirst. We drink a glass of water and it passes.

But if your mouth and tongue are constantly dry, water may not be the only issue.

Why saliva matters

Saliva doesn’t just keep the mouth moist. It also plays a part in:

• Chewing and swallowing
• Speaking
• Tasting
• Keeping the mouth’s environment in balance
• Protecting the teeth

When saliva decreases, bad breath, tooth decay, changes in taste and a coating on the tongue can all increase.

Simple causes

Sometimes the cause really is simple:

• Not drinking enough water
• Breathing through the mouth (especially while sleeping)
• Dry air, air conditioning, central heating
• Talking for a long time
• A lot of coffee, tea or salty food

Possible causes of constant dry mouth

If the dryness is constant, these factors may also play a part:

• Medicines: Many medicines can reduce saliva production.
• Older age
• Salivary gland disorders
• Diabetes and high blood sugar
• Some immune-related conditions
• Some systemic diseases

The link with blood sugar

If constant dry mouth comes with any of the following, it makes sense to have your blood sugar checked :

• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Tiredness
• Unusual weight change

In people with diabetes, dry mouth, a tendency to infections and gum problems need extra attention.

The traditional medicine view

In Avicennian–Greek medicine, a dry tongue is an important sign. Dryness is assessed together with thirst, inner heat, the colour of the tongue and the pulse to understand whether there is an increase in dryness or heat in the body.

The quality of the saliva is also considered:

• Is the mouth always dry, or does saliva build up too much?
• Is the saliva thick or watery?
• Is it different in the morning?
• Does it come with an unusual taste in the mouth?

Sometimes what a person thinks is a “tongue problem” is actually a change in saliva production.

When should you see a doctor?

• If the dryness has lasted for weeks and doesn’t go away when you drink water
• If excessive thirst and frequent urination come with it
• If your eyes are dry too
• If you have difficulty swallowing, speaking or tasting
• If you get sores or burning in your mouth, or frequent tooth decay

Frequently asked questions

Is a dry mouth in the morning normal?
It is common in people who breathe through their mouth while sleeping. If it continues all day, the cause should be investigated.

Is dry mouth a sign of diabetes?
It can be, but not on its own. If it comes with excessive thirst, frequent urination and tiredness, your blood sugar should be checked.

Could my medicine be drying my mouth?
Yes, many medicines have this effect. Don’t stop a medicine on your own; talk to your doctor.

Conclusion

Dry mouth sometimes goes away with just a glass of water; but if it is constant, it may be part of a wider message from the body.

For the other signs of the tongue and mouth, read our article “The Tongue and Mouth: A Mirror of Digestion and Inner Health” .

If you want to learn the body’s sign language step by step, Dr Kalan’s book “Elaim & Delail” and the online course “ “Reading the Body’s Signs” (in Turkish) will guide you.

This article is for information only and does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment.