The Truth About Dry Mouth: Why St. George’s Climate Might Be Affecting Your Oral Health

Living in St. George, Utah, you’re probably used to the stunning red rocks and the plentiful sunshine. But have you ever noticed you’re constantly looking or reaching for a glass of water? Your mouth may be constantly dry, but that dryness might be more than just a small inconvenience. It could be a sign that the unique climate of St. George’s is heavily influencing your oral health.

So, what is the connection between St. George’s weather and a dry mouth? If you continue reading this article, you’ll find out more.

The Dry Mouth Condition: What Is It?

Is a dry mouth a medical problem? It could be. It even has a medical name: xerostomia. It’s a condition where your saliva glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep your mouth lubricated, making your mouth feel ‘dry.’ It causes you to feel tempted to drink water in an attempt to keep your mouth moist.

The occasional dryness happens to anyone, but a persistent dry mouth leads to discomfort and impacts your overall oral health. Saliva functions naturally in our mouths, helping us chew, swallow, taste, and even speak. It’s also a natural defense mechanism against food particles, neutralizing bacteria-produced acids that decay tooth and prompt gum disease.

Common symptoms of dry mouth include:

• Sticky, dry feeling
• Difficulty swallowing or speaking
• Sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Altered taste buds
• Bad breath

How St. George’s Weather Affects Your Oral Health

St. George’s climate makes us experience an arid, desert climate with long and hot summers. Temperatures frequently spike above 100°F. Even during the milder winters, the air remains dry with low humidity levels throughout the year.

This lack of moisture in the air means St. George’s residents’ bodies are constantly working to stay hydrated. They lose fluids more quickly than in more humid environments. The abundance of sunshine may encourage outdoor activities, but it also increases evaporation and the potential for dehydration if people don’t regularly consume fluids.

Unfortunately, the dry air can directly draw moisture from human bodies. When people become mildly dehydrated, their saliva production decreases. Those experiencing a chronic state of dehydration might experience exacerbated dry mouth symptoms. Thanks to the dry air of St. George, anyone simply enjoying a sunny day can build up that persistent feeling of thirst because they inadequately produce saliva in their mouths.

Other contributions to dry mouth

However, while climate is a significant factor, it’s not the only cause of dry mouth. Here are several factors that may also contribute to it:

• Common medications: High blood pressure, depression, or allergy medications can produce a dry mouth as a side effect.
• Medical conditions: Diabetes or sleep apnea are also known to cause reduced saliva flow.
• Natural aging: Saliva production can naturally decrease as we age.
• Lifestyle choices: Smoking or alcohol consumption may also lower saliva production.

The Risks of Dry Mouth on Oral Health

Sure enough, chronic dry mouth will impact your oral health significantly. Without saliva, there are a wealth of oral health problems you may face, such as:

• Your teeth become more vulnerable to decay as food particles and bacteria remain in your mouth.
• You increase the risk of gum disease as bacteria can thrive in a dry environment.
• You may experience more frequent oral infections like thrush or bad breath.

How You Can Prevent and Manage Dry Mouth

Several steps exist to manage dry mouth, especially in the dry St. George climate. Follow these recommendations:

• Stay consistently hydrated: Carry a water bottle and sip water frequently throughout the day, especially if you’re active outdoors.
• Choose your beverages carefully: Limit or avoid sugary drinks. Also, lower your consumption of caffeine and alcohol, which can naturally dehydrate you further.
• Eat sugar-free gum or sugar-free candy: Chewing on the gum or sucking on the candy will help stimulate saliva production.
• Use oral rinses: Over-the-counter saliva substitutes or mouthwashes can provide temporary relief.
• Breathe through your nose: Breathing through your mouth makes it drier, so focus on breathing through your nasal cavities.
• Use a humidifier: At home, particularly in your bedroom while you sleep, turn on a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

Conclusion

The beautiful climate of St. George may offer a wonderful lifestyle, but it can also contribute to the common issue of dry mouth. To mitigate its effects on your oral health, stay hydrated and diligently manage your oral health. But if the problem persists, get in touch with your dentist or oral healthcare provider to discuss the problem.

At our St. George’s dental clinic, combatting dry mouth is one of the services we offer. Make an appointment with our dentists to address the issue and manage your oral health issue immediately.