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Dry Mouth Complications

There are a number of complications due to the dry mouth condition. Dry mouth is a reduced flow of the saliva in the mouth required to keep the mouth wet. This happens due to a dysfunction or anomaly in the salivary glands, which can be caused for a number of reasons. The resulting dry mouth can cause discomfort, pain, complications and other health problems. The saliva has many functions in mouth and throat. When an adequate amount of saliva is not produced, these functions are limited or completely hindered.

Complications

With a reduced flow of saliva it is very difficult to chew, swallow and digest food properly because saliva aids all of these processes. Taking big bites of food is also not easy for people with dry mouth and difficulty in chewing makes it difficult for the body to extract sufficient nutrients from food.

Dental health is another serious dry mouth complication. The chances of tooth decay rises when sufficient saliva, which helps maintain low bacterial and fungal presence in the mouth, is not created. Mucositis is quite common in people with a dry mouth condition. Mucositis is the inflammation of the lining of the mouth and can be quite painful. Another complication sometimes due to dry mouth is a fungal infection in the palate and tongue known as Candidiasis.

It is very difficult to wear dentures when experiencing dry mouth. Also, when saliva in the mouth is not secreted in sufficient quantity, it becomes much thicker, causing discomfort and further exacerbating symptoms.

Dryness of the mucus membrane in the mouth frequently occurs when saliva production is lowered. The mucus membrane becomes pale and thin. Fissuring and lobulation are also noticed in patients with dry mouth, causing pain and discomfort.

Dry mouth complications also include cracking in the angular cheilitis, the dorsum of the tongue and the corner of the mouth. Further, cracking and bleeding of the gums is a common complication of dry mouth. This is called gingivitis or inflammation of the gums and usually results in the receding of the gum line, and a sore and shiny mouth.

Another serious repercussion of dry mouth is impeded speech. With reduced saliva in the mouth, pronouncing words becomes difficult. People who have dry mouth and difficulty speaking, cannot simply ‘swallow' and start talking normally. Liquid of some sort is always necessary before ‘speaking easy' is possible. In such cases, constant liquids are required for normal conversations.

In some way dry mouth is very challenging also. Specific foods that help with obesity issues or blood pressure may not be easily consumed, exacerbating symptoms. An increase in cavities and the inability to quickly heal sores of the mouth are other complications. As mentioned above, dry mouth can also cause the person to be vulnerable to various infections as the protective layer of saliva is no longer present.

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Dry Mouth Complications

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