Managing Dry Mouth from Medications: Preventive Tips for Older Adults

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many medications, and this condition can lead to issues with your oral health. In this guide, we’re exploring the link between popular medications and dry mouth, and offering guidance on how you can manage this side effect so that it doesn’t have an impact on your long term oral health.

Which medications cause dry mouth?

First things first, let’s look at some of the most common medicines that are likely to cause dry mouth. The most common culprits include antidepressants, antihistamines, diuretics, and certain pain medications. These medications can interfere with saliva production, leaving you with a dry mouth. Let’s look at these in more detail.

• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine and duloxetine are often linked to changes in the amount of saliva produced. If you experience this side effect, it’s important that you don’t stop taking your medication. Instead, visit your GP or pharmacist for advice and support.

• Antihistamines are commonly used to manage seasonal allergies. The types of antihistamine commonly linked to dry mouth include diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, and hydroxyzine. You may be able to switch to a different brand if you are experiencing side effects like dry mouth.

• Diuretics are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention. Common culprits of dry mouth include furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide. Don’t stop taking your medication; instead, visit your GP or pharmacist for advice.

• Pain medication including NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) and some opioids are often linked to dry mouth.

• Other medications linked to dry mouth include some decongestants, anticholinergics, muscle relaxants, antipsychotics and certain medications for Parkinson's disease.

If you have added a new medication to your daily routine and have noticed your mouth is drier than usual, this could be a side effect worth exploring with your GP.

Signs of dry mouth

Dry mouth is a condition that impacts saliva production. It can lead to less saliva production, which can leave you with bad breath, a sticky feeling in the mouth, a strange coating on your tongue and difficulty with speaking, chewing and swallowing. You might find that you choke on food more often, due to the lack of saliva.

Certain habits can make dry mouth worse. For example, drinking lots of alcohol or caffeine will contribute to dehydration. Smoking will also aggravate dry mouth conditions.

Oral health issues linked to dry mouth

If you have dry mouth, you will be at increased risk of certain oral health conditions. Saliva is essential for neutralising bacteria in the mouth, so lower levels can allow bacteria to thrive.

This could lead to bad breath (halitosis) and an increased risk of tooth decay. It can also contribute to gum disease, as the bacteria will cause inflammation of the gums. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to receding gums and tooth loss.

You might also suffer from digestive issues and indigestion as a result of dry mouth. This is because you might not be chewing your food enough, which can make harder work for your stomach to manage the digestion process.

How to manage dry mouth

If you suspect your medication is causing dry mouth, there are steps you can take to help manage this condition. First, visit your GP or pharmacist to explore alternative treatment options. There may be a medication available that achieves the same results without causing dry mouth.

If you cannot change your medication type, you can instead move your focus to treating the dry mouth. Visit your dentist for advice on how to handle this condition and for product recommendations. They can also inspect your teeth and gums and look for early signs of damage.

First and foremost, try to stay hydrated. Dehydration will make dry mouth much worse. Sipping water throughout the day can also relieve some of the symptoms, rather than trying to drink a lot of water all at once.

You can stimulate saliva production by chewing sugar free chewing gum, or sucking on a sugar free sweet. This can alleviate some of the symptoms throughout the day. Having a fruity sweet before a meal can help to stimulate saliva production to help you to chew your food.

Using a humidifier in your bedroom at night time can also help to alleviate some of the symptoms, particularly if the air in your room is quite dry. Before you go to bed, avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol, as this will have a drying effect. Specialist mouthwash is available that delivers a moisturising effect.

You should also be aware of food and drink choices that make your dry mouth worse. This could include alcohol, caffeine, sugar, salt, acidic food or spicy food.

Final thoughts on dry mouth

Dry mouth might not sound like a severe condition, but it can have a big impact on your life and your wider health. Once you’ve spotted the early signs of dry mouth, it’s vital to take steps to address this.

Thankfully, there is lots of help available. You can enlist the help of your dentist, your GP and your pharmacist to tackle this issue together. You may be able to adjust your medication to prevent the dry mouth, or you might be able to treat the dry mouth directly.