One dentist has warned dry mouth can signal potentially life-threatening illnesses that Brits would be wise to keep an eye out for, including Alzheimer’s Disease
A dry mouth could be a common symptom for a wide number of minor ailments – but an expert has revealed why they might be worth paying attention to.
One dentist has warned that it can be a red flag for five more serious conditions that Brits would be wise to keep an eye out for. There are many reasons why you may experience a dry mouth; it can be a symptom of snoring, smoking, some medications or drinking too much alcohol. It also happens that as we age less saliva is produced.
Poor oral health can be a red flag for some potentially life-threatening illnesses however, with conditions like diabetes and HIV on the list of potential culprits. Persistent dry mouth can be a sign that something is going wrong elsewhere in the body, explained Dr Azad Eyrumlu, of leading private dental firm Banning Dental Group.
“A dry mouth can be a sign something’s not right elsewhere,” he said. “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 warning sign for:
- HIV
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Stroke
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Xerostomia is the name given to the condition whereby our salivary glands fail to produce sufficient saliva to keep the mouth moist. Our spit plays a key role in our oral health, although we may never consider its importance – it helps neutralise acids produced by bacteria and also wash away food particles……….S££ MOR£
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