We get asked a lot of questions about tongue scraping... some questions are entertaining, some are curious and others are serious.
One question that keeps being asked of us is this, "Can tongue scraping cause dry mouth?" The answer is no. Tongue scraping does not cause dry mouth.
For those that might not know what dry mouth is, it is a condition in which salivary glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva to keep your mouth moist or wet enough to be comfortable.
Dry mouth typically occurs from:
- medications
- aging issues
- as a result of radiation therapy for cancer
- conditions directly affecting the salivary glands
If you're not producing enough saliva, you may notice these symptoms:
- bad breath
- dry and or grooved tongue
- dryness or stickiness in your mouth
- difficulty chewing, speaking and swallowing
- changes in the way you taste food and beverages
Sometimes, temporary dry mouth is self inflicted such as after a night out with too many beverages. Recreational drug use may also cause temporary dry mouth. However, if your problem is more consistent, you may want to seek medical advice as dry mouth can cause serious complications.
If you don't produce enough saliva and develop dry mouth, this can lead to:
- Mouth sores
- Yeast infections in your mouth (thrush)
- Increased plaque, tooth decay and gum disease
- Sores in the corners of your mouth, or cracked and dry lips
- Poor nutrition from having problems with chewing and swallowing
** This blog is not medical advice nor are we medically professionals. If you feel you have problems with dry mouth it is best to contact your dentist or your family doctor.**