What causes dry mouth?
Jul 25th, 2008 by Dr. Kourosh Maddahi DDS
There are several reasons for dry mouth. There can be a systemic problem. But, the major cause of dry mouth can be breathing through the mouth instead of through the nose because of a blockage in the nasal cavity. Another reason can be because of sleeping with the mouth open. Some patients have dry mouth because of having an open bite where the teeth do not touch at all. Medications also can cause dry mouth. In patients that have gone through chemotherapy, there is also dry mouth as well.
Dry mouth can cause a higher degree of cavities because of the type of bacteria that survive in a dry mouth are more destructive and there are more of there is a higher chance of inflammation of the gum and also cavities.