Dry mouth means the mouth is not getting enough saliva, and saliva is much more than water: it is your teeth's first line of defence. In the Eastern Province, between the summer heat, long hours under air-conditioning and long fasting days, many people feel a passing dryness. Short-lived dryness is common and easy to manage, but persistent dryness raises the risk of decay and gum inflammation and is worth looking into.
Saliva washes food and sugar off the teeth, neutralises the acids bacteria produce after eating, returns some lost minerals to the enamel, and contains substances that fight germs. When saliva is reduced, the teeth lose this protection, leading to problems such as:
The cause may be simple and temporary, or linked to a medicine or a health condition. Common causes include:
Simple steps can make a clear difference to your comfort and the health of your teeth:
Dryness while fasting is normal and expected; the aim is to replace fluids between iftar and suhoor and protect your teeth during those hours. Spread your water across the evening rather than drinking a large amount at once, cut back on tea and coffee, which can increase fluid loss in some people, and clean your teeth well after suhoor.
Dates and Ramadan sweets are sticky and cling to the teeth, so rinse with water after them and brush before bed. If you fast and have severe dryness because of a medicine or a chronic illness, discuss it with your doctor.
If dryness lasts most of the day despite drinking water, starts after a new medicine, or comes with intense thirst and frequent urination, or dry eyes, it may have a cause that needs assessment. Many shift workers sleep in the daytime under the AC for long hours and notice dryness more.
Never stop a medicine on your own because of dry mouth. Tell your doctor and dentist about your medicines; the prescribing doctor may be able to adjust the dose, timing or choice of medicine. Your dentist may prescribe a higher-strength fluoride toothpaste or suggest more frequent check-ups to protect your teeth.
Yes. Saliva constantly washes the mouth, and when it is reduced, odour-causing bacteria multiply. That is why breath is worse on waking and while fasting.
It is usually enough for mild dryness caused by heat or not drinking enough. If the cause is a medicine, an illness or mouth breathing, the cause itself may need treating.
Yes. Persistent dryness is one of the main causes of rapid decay, especially in older people and those taking several medicines, because the teeth lose the protection of saliva.
Most do, such as drinking water and cutting down on sugary drinks. But gum, mouthwash and saliva substitutes depend on the child's age, so ask the dentist or pharmacist first.
See a dentist if dry mouth lasts more than two weeks despite drinking water, or comes with new decay, a burning mouth, white patches or difficulty swallowing, if it started after a new medicine, or if your denture has become loose. People with chronic dryness benefit from more frequent check-ups. You can book a check-up at Medical Care Clinics in Al-Shati Al-Gharbi, Dammam, close to Al-Khobar and Dhahran, where our dental team will assess your mouth and suggest ways to protect your teeth.
This article is general health education and does not replace a medical examination. Every case needs its own assessment by a doctor.
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