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Identifying dry mouth

Dry mouth can affect comfort, confidence, and day‑to‑day wellbeing, especially as we get older. This section offers simple guidance to help you recognise the early signs of dry mouth and understand when it may be time to seek support.

Have a look at this video for more information on the causes of dry mouth.

Dry mouth (xerostomia) occurs when the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist.

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Why Saliva Matters

  • Saliva helps keep the mouth clean and healthy.
  • It supports swallowing, speaking, tasting food and early digestion.
  • It protects teeth from decay and gum disease.

Where Dry Mouth Can Occur

  • Lips
  • Tongue
  • Gums
  • Inner cheeks
  • Roof of the mouth (palate)

Common Symptoms

  • Dry, rough, sticky or uncomfortable feeling in the mouth
  • Bad breath (halitosis) due to bacteria or fungal build-up
  • Burning, tingling or soreness
  • Dry or cracked lips, especially at the corners
  • Difficulty with chewing, speaking or wearing dentures
  • Tongue changes such as dryness, cracking or discomfort

Tongue Coating

  • A thin white layer can be normal.
  • A thick white, yellow, red or black coating may indicate poor oral care or infection.

Warning Signs to Look For

  • Pain, swelling, sores, bumps or patches in the mouth
  • Changes that are new or slow to heal

Dryness or pain in the mouth may be an early warning sign of an oral health issue that needs attention.

We encourage you to seek advice from a GP, dentist or another healthcare professional if you notice any changes in your own oral health, or in the oral health of the person you care for, or if you have concerns about mouth discomfort, dry mouth or swallowing difficulties.

Meet our experts

Chloe Green

Chloe completed a BSc in Speech and Language Therapy from City University of London. She started her career in the NHS in the adult acute setting and has worked across a range of medical specialities, including frailty, respiratory medicine, oncology and neurological rehabilitation. Chloe subsequently specialised in voice and upper airway disorders. In her current NHS clinical practice alongside her work at Nightingale Hammerson, she is based in the paediatric acute service within Bart’s Health Trust, as well as running a paediatric Voice and Upper Airway service. At Nightingale Hammerson, Chloe works within the multidisciplinary therapy team, supporting Residents with Dysphagia (swallowing problems) and communication difficulties. She enjoys maximising Resident’s quality of life and supporting members of the care team with learning and development. 

 

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The resources available are not, and are not intended to be, medical advice, which should be tailored to your individual circumstances.  The resources are for your information only, and we advise that you exercise your own judgment before deciding to use the information provided. Professional medical advice should be obtained before taking action. Full terms and conditions