If your mouth feels dry more often than not, you’re far from alone. The American Dental Association reports that dry mouth affects about 30% of adults 65 and older and 40% of adults 80 and up — numbers that hit close to home in our Gulf Coast retirement communities. Dr. Rhea Rogers says the causes range widely: dehydration, medications, nerve damage, cancer and autoimmune disorders. Sometimes dryness is an early clue that something else is going on, even in people who otherwise feel fine.
Saliva does more than keep your mouth comfortable. Gerontologist Sam Cradduck points out it’s essential for talking, eating and chewing, and it protects tooth enamel. For denture wearers, less saliva can change how dentures fit, leading to pain and sores. That’s why experts say persistent dryness is worth raising at your regular dental visits.
Managing it starts with small changes: skip alcohol-based mouthwash, keep water nearby, and ease up on drinking and smoking. If dryness sticks around, ask your dentist and your doctor what might be behind it. The experts’ advice: always find your why. What’s your go-to trick for keeping dry mouth at bay? Share it with us and we might feature it on air.
