{"id":41,"date":"2026-10-22T15:39:59","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T15:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shawsheendental.com\/blog\/?p=41"},"modified":"2026-11-03T15:48:05","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T15:48:05","slug":"protect-against-dry-mouth-at-any-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shawsheendental.com\/blog\/protect-against-dry-mouth-at-any-age\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Protecting Against Dry Mouth at Any Age"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>

If you’re like most people with a healthy mouth<\/a>, you probably don’t think much about how it feels inside unless there’s a problem, such as an annoying and potentially harmful condition called dry mouth. While in most cases it can be easily eliminated by simply having a refreshing glass of water, if it’s persistent, it can eventually cause permanent damage to your smile. Here’s a closer look at some of the common reasons people develop dry mouth at any age, and what you can do if it happens to you!<\/p>

What Causes Dry Mouth?<\/h2>

Saliva is an important fluid created by the salivary glands in your mouth. It is comprised of about 99 percent water, along with mucous, enzymes and electrolytes, all of which help keep your oral tissues and teeth hydrated, neutralize plaque acids, and rinse away bits of food and bacteria. Unfortunately, however, sometimes your mouth can experience a lack of this important fluid which is known as dry mouth and can cause bad breath, gum disease, and increase your risk of cavities, too!<\/p>

Reasons for Dry Mouth at Every Age<\/h2>

While dry mouth is more common in older adults, it can affect your smile at any age. Here are a few reasons it can occur at each stage of life.<\/p>

Children & Young Adults<\/h3>

Dry mouth in younger people is less common but can still be very harmful, and can be caused by:<\/p>