Why Do You Have a Dry Mouth After Drinking Water? Solving the Mystery

19 September 2024

Why Do You Have a Dry Mouth After Drinking Water? Solving the Mystery

Typically most of us turn to water when gasping for a drink to quench our thirst. However, some people experience a perplexing sensation: a dry mouth, even after drinking water. This unexpected dryness can be confusing and frustrating, especially when water is commonly seen as the solution to dehydration. So, why do you have a dry mouth after drinking water?

Let’s solve this mystery by exploring the possible causes and what you can do to alleviate it. But first, let’s start with an explanation of the condition.

What is dry mouth?

Dry mouth is a symptom that occurs when the salivary glands fail to produce sufficient saliva to keep your mouth moist.  According to the Oral Health Foundation, dry mouth or xerostomia as it’s known is one of the most common dental issues affecting one in four adults.

Saliva is essential for oral health, helping to wash away food particles, neutralise acids, and protect against tooth decay. When saliva production decreases, you may experience a dry, sticky feeling in your mouth, along with other symptoms like bad breath, difficulty swallowing, and a persistent sense of thirst. In addition to these physical side effects, chronic dry mouth can even increase the risk of mental health problems and social anxiety.

Normally, drinking water helps relieve dry mouth symptoms by hydrating the body and promoting saliva production. However, if water alone isn’t solving the problem, there may be other factors at play.

Dehydration – Are you drinking enough water?

One of the most basic reasons for your mouth feeling dry even after drinking water is that you’re still dehydrated. If you’ve lost a lot of fluids due to excessive heat, exercise or illness, it takes a while for the body to absorb water and distribute it across the body. The NHS recommends drinking 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day which can include water, tea, coffee and sugar-free drinks. As a guide, drink sufficient to ensure your urine is a clear, pale yellow colour.

Underlying health conditions

A mouth that feels dry even after drinking water could also indicate the presence of an underlying health condition affecting saliva production. Common issues include:

• Diabetes: High blood sugar leads to frequent urination, causing dehydration and persistent dry mouth. Symptoms like fatigue or blurred vision may warrant a diabetes check.
• Sjögren’s Syndrome: This autoimmune disorder affects saliva and tear glands, causing chronic dry mouth and eyes, even when drinking water.
• Kidney Problems: Impaired kidney function can disrupt fluid balance, leading to dehydration despite adequate water intake.

If the dryness persists, you should visit your doctor for a diagnosis.

Side effects from medication

Surprisingly, many medications can also cause your mouth to dry out, even with adequate water intake. These include:

• Antihistamines: Used for allergies, they reduce saliva production.
• Diuretics: Prescribed for high blood pressure, they increase urination, leading to dehydration.
• Antidepressants/Antianxiety medications: These can also decrease saliva.

If you experience persistent dry mouth while on medication, consult your doctor about adjusting the dosage or finding alternatives.

Too many sugary or caffeinated drinks

Drinking caffeinated drinks such as tea or coffee, or soft sugary drinks alongside water could impact your hydration efforts. Caffeine is a diuretic which means it increases the production of urine causing a depletion in body fluids which can lead to dehydration. Sugary drinks can also cause dryness by leaving a sticky residue in your mouth. To remain properly hydrated it’s best to switch out the caffeine and sugary drinks for water and herbal teas to avoid unwanted side effects.

Anxiety and stress

Anxiety is more common than you think. Research suggests that in the UK alone, over 8 million people experience an anxiety disorder at any one time.

Anxiety and stress can trigger dry mouth, as they activate your body’s “fight or flight” response, which brings about specific body-wide changes to prepare the body for immediate emergency action. The combination of changes can result in your mouth feeling dry.

Mouth breathing

Breathing through your mouth, whether it’s a habit or because your nasal passages are blocked, can quickly cause your mouth to dry out. If you’re a mouth breather, especially at night, you may wake up with a dry mouth despite drinking water throughout the day.

Addressing any nasal congestion or training yourself to breathe through your nose can help alleviate this.

So now we’ve answered your question “Why do you have a dry mouth after drinking water?” let’s look at what you can do to prevent it.

Increase water gradually

Sometimes, it takes a bit more water than you think to fully hydrate your body. Increase your intake gradually throughout the day to give your body time to absorb and distribute fluids effectively.

Add electrolytes

Consider drinking water that contains electrolytes, especially if you suspect a mineral imbalance. You can find electrolyte powders or drinks in most stores, or simply add a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon to your water for a natural boost.

Add moisture to your surroundings

In dry conditions, particularly during winter, a humidifier can introduce moisture into the air. This may alleviate dryness in the mouth caused by low humidity, even if you’re drinking enough water.

Chew sugar-free gum

Chewing sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva production, helping to keep your mouth moist. Xylitol-based gum is an excellent option as it also helps protect against tooth decay.

Consult a doctor

If dry mouth persists after trying these remedies, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. There may be an underlying condition that requires treatment, or your medications could be contributing to the issue.

Why do you have a dry mouth? The takeaway

Experiencing a dry mouth after drinking water can be puzzling, but it’s often due to a combination of factors such as dehydration, medication side effects, or underlying health conditions. By addressing these issues, you can find relief and ensure that your body stays properly hydrated.

Take the next step

Dry mouth can also cause problems with your gums and teeth which is why we recommend you request a free consultation with the friendly, experienced team at Cheadle Hulme Dental. There are several things we can do to treat your condition and improve your quality of life. Call us today on 0161 486 0743 or use our online booking service.