How a dry mouth could be a 'red flag' for five severe illnesses

While a dry mouth is easy to ignore, it can indicate a more serious problem if left unchecked.

In fact, there are five severe illnesses which Brits should keep an eye out for if they're frequently experiencing a dry mouth, one leading dentist has warned. For many, it can just be a benign symptom of growing older and producing less saliva, or it can be linked to medication, smoking, or too much alcohol.

Despite this, poor oral health can sometimes indicate a more serious, and sometimes life-threatening illness, such as diabetes, a stroke, or even HIV. Dr Azad Eyrumlu, a practitioner at Banning Dental Group, warned that a persistent dry mouth may be a sign of something going wrong in another part of the body, the Mirror reports.

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He said: “A dry mouth can be a sign something’s not right elsewhere. This can manifest itself with symptoms such as a sticky feeling in the mouth, a dry or sore throat, difficulty chewing or swallowing or even bad breath.

“Certain health conditions such as a stroke, diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease can show themselves in this way, while these symptoms can also be an indicator of an autoimmune disorder such as HIV or Sjogren’s syndrome.”

Dr Eyrumlu added: “When you visit a dentist, we don’t just look out for your oral health. We are trained in how to spot certain wider problems with your general health, too. It’s vital to keep a close eye on your own health and if you do notice persistent symptoms of a dry mouth then you must highlight this with your GP.”

If you are persistently experiencing a dry mouth, it could a sign of one of the following illnesses:

The official designation for when your mouth does not produce enough saliva