A dentist has revealed the little-known general health problems that cause you to have a dry mouth – and why you should never ignore it. It’s relatively common for our mouths not to produce as much saliva as we grow older, or due to other circumstances such as taking medication and smoking.
However, dry mouth can sometimes be an early warning sign that something is wrong elsewhere in the body, and can even be a red flag for serious illnesses including diabetes, stroke and even HIV. Dr Azad Eyrumlu, of leading private dental firm Banning Dental Group, said: “Our bodies are incredibly complex and different parts are closely linked even though we might not always realise it.
“Sometimes poor oral health can lead to serious issues in other parts of the body, and the reverse is true in the sense that a dry mouth can be a sign something’s not right elsewhere. 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.
