Beyond the impact diabetes has on blood sugar levels, one overlooked but critical issue is dry mouth. Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, occurs when there is a lack of saliva in your mouth to keep it moist. The persistent dryness of the mouth can create a number of challenges for people living with diabetes. Continue reading to learn more about diabetes and dry mouth.
Anyone can get dry mouth, but it is particularly common in individuals with diabetes. The primary reason for this association is likely due to elevated glucose levels. When blood sugar levels are persistently elevated, it can lead to frequent urination, resulting in dehydration and dry mouth.
Other causes of dry mouth that are unrelated to diabetes may include:
Dry mouth occurs when there is reduced moisture in your mouth due to lack of saliva production. The symptoms of dry mouth may include:
For many people with diabetes, dehydration is a very common side effect when elevated glucose levels are detected in the blood. Excessive glucose in the bloodstream prompts the kidneys to flush excess glucose, leading to frequent urination and fluid loss. Maintaining blood sugar levels within a safe range is essential to manage dehydration and dry mouth along with consuming plenty of fluids and electrolytes.
Another helpful way to prevent and help treat dry mouth with diabetes is to chew sugar-free gum and suck on sugar-free mints. Sugar-free gum and mints are great for helping to increase saliva production, which can help make your mouth moist and keep it that way to prevent dry mouth.
Caffeinated beverages, like coffee and tea, are diuretics that can increase urine production and potentially lead to dehydration that may contribute or worsen dry mouth in people with diabetes.
Smoking can reduce saliva production resulting in dry mouth through the effects of chemical irritants, decreased blood flow to salivary glands, and the vasoconstrictive impact of nicotine. If you are experiencing dry mouth and smoke, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider or dentist. They can provide guidance on managing dry mouth symptoms and offer support in quitting smoking.
Dental check-ups are crucial for managing dry mouth because they allow for ongoing monitoring, early intervention and the implementation of effective strategies to maintain optimal oral health.
Humidifying the environment may alleviate dry mouth by increasing the moisture in the air to keep respiratory passages moist and make breathing more comfortable.
Some medications used to manage diabetes may have side effects that include dry mouth. If you experience dry mouth as a side effect, it is important to communicate this with your healthcare provider. They may consider adjusting the dosage, switching to a different medication or exploring additional options to manage diabetes while minimizing dry mouth.
If you are not meeting your blood sugar management goals, you may want to seek support from your diabetes care team to improve your blood sugar management. Improving blood sugar management can help with improving or preventing dry mouth and other mouth problems.
To prevent dry mouth, it is essential to take measures that ensure proper hydration, encourage the production of saliva, and uphold good oral hygiene practices.
Dry mouth can lead to various complications due to reduced saliva production. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health and its absence can result in several issues including:
It’s important for people with diabetes to address the underlying causes of dry mouth and seek appropriate medical or dental advice to manage or mitigate their symptoms.
Credits to: Amanda Ciprich, MS, RD | Diabetes And Dry Mouth: How to Address The Issue
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