Diabetes is a metabolic and endocrine disorder that occurs when blood glucose levels are exceptionally high. If left untreated, diabetes can affect the nerves, kidneys and other organs and can severely impact a person’s quality of life. For a condition that affects almost 10% of the worldwide population, there is one symptom that is lesser-known and often underestimated; it is dry mouth. About 20% of the diabetics also suffer from cottonmouth or drought mouth where the moisture of the mouth is lost, giving it a queasy, dry feeling, often cotton-like.

Diabetes can exacerbate the symptoms of dry mouth and vice-versa, which means that as many a time does diabetes worsen the conditions of dry mouth, dry mouth also in turn leads to rampant uncontrolled diabetes. A dry mouth becomes a target and prey to harmful bacteria that can damage, alter and aggravate the normal conditions of the mouth. Dental caries become evident with the drastic loss of saliva and its cleansing action, accompanied by many other problems. So, does the presence of dry mouth mean that you have diabetes? It could be a strong sign.

Why does diabetes lead to dry mouth?

In a diabetic state, the blood glucose levels are chronically elevated and the body is unable to efficiently produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use up the insulin that it does make. Insulin is a hormone that helps transfer glucose from the blood to the individual cells in order to produce energy. Because of the lack of adequate insulin in diabetes, the cells are “starved” and the body tries to get rid of the excess glucose in the blood through frequent urination. 

If you have to go to the loo as often as diabetes would make you, the signs of dehydration taking over your body would be obvious. One of the first signs of dehydration is dry mouth. Some medications for diabetes can also cause dryness of the mouth.

Symptoms of dry mouth in diabetes

Diabetes can be an important culprit of dry mouth. A way for you to recognize if you have diabetes is by recognizing the signs of a dry mouth. 

Some of the symptoms of dry mouth are:

• Thick, pasty saliva
• A rough, dry feeling in the mouth
• Canker sores in the mouth
• Chapped and cracked lips
• Fungal infections like thrush
• Hoarseness of the throat
• Problems talking, chewing and swallowing
• Gum disease or tooth decay 

How can you treat dry mouth in diabetes?

As a diagnosed diabetic or a person suspected of diabetes, it is crucial for you to seek help for your dry mouth. Loss of moisture from your oral cavity can be treated with the following remedies:

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
• Limit moisture-sucking condiments like sugar, coffee or alcohol
• Try out sugar-free gum and lozenges or pastilles to stimulate saliva flow.St Andrew’s Trust Dry Mouth Pastilles and Chewing Gum are great when it comes to helping with dry mouth.
• Avoid smoking and tobacco products
• Replace medications that worsen the status of dry mouth
• Use alcohol-free mouthwash
• Maintain proper oral hygiene
• Increase your intake of fiber with fruits and vegetables

If you have had a dry mouth for a while that doesn’t seem to be getting any better, you may need to consult the doctor to identify the underlying cause of it. It could be diabetes and you don’t want to wait until it gets worse!