Dry Mouth: COVID-19 Oral Symptoms and Their Relationship

A dry mouth may be one of the possible early warning signs of the most recent coronavirus pandemic. Together with respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological symptoms, it’s one of the frequent signs of COVID-19. Luckily, this symptom is less severe than others and usually goes away on its own. Apart from that, there are several actions you can take to make your mouth moist again. Let’s dig deeper into the relationship between dry mouth, COVID-19, and other associated oral symptoms that may signal the start of this infectious disease.

What is dry mouth?

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a medical condition that causes a person to have an abnormally dry mouth and can lead to difficulty in speaking and eating. When the salivary glands fail to produce sufficient saliva, it results in dry mouth.

Since the body cannot produce saliva, it cannot aid digestion and fails to protect the mouth from bad bacteria and other pathogens. The patient may feel dryness or stickiness in the mouth and the saliva may become thicker.

The other most common causes of dry mouth include drugs, type 1 diabetes, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases, renal failure, vitamin deficiencies, and other viral infections.

The connection between dry mouth and COVID-19

However, recently, there have been several cases of dry mouth related to COVID-19, which has caught the attention of researchers. As per studies, xerostomia happens when the virus attacks the oral linings and muscle fibers.

Research has shown that other than the common organs, ACE2 or angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 exists in various oral mucosal tissues, so the oral cavity is considered a potential route for the entry of the COVID-19 virus. ACE2 is a protein that provides the entry point for the coronavirus to hook into and infect a wide range of human cells.

The possible connection between dry mouth and COVID-19 has been recently studied by researchers at New York University’s Langone Health, who surveyed over 1,400 participants, all infected with COVID-19. After analyzing their responses, they found that approximately 20% reported having moderate to severe levels of xerostomia or dry mouth either during or after their infection. This was significantly higher than the 9% reported in people who had recovered from other respiratory illnesses such as pulmonary embolism and COPD.

Further research has shown that COVID-19 patients are 2–3 times more likely than non-COVID patients to report these symptoms. Those experiencing them often have more severe cases of the virus leading to more hospitalizations than those without it.

Causes of Dry Mouth and COVID-19

One study found that there may be an increased risk of experiencing this symptom if you have severe cases of the virus than those with mild infections.

The research suggests that individuals with COVID-19 who experience dry mouth symptoms may have higher levels of inflammation in the body, affecting their salivary glands and causing them to produce less saliva. In addition, underlying conditions such as diabetes and autoimmunity diseases can also contribute to symptoms of xerostomia as they weaken the immune system and make patients more susceptible to infection.

In any case, if you feel you’re having symptoms of dry mouth, it’s best to consult your doctor because it could indicate a more serious underlying issue such as Covid-19. This is especially true for those who have existing medical conditions like heart disease or diabetes – so don’t hesitate to get yourself checked out just in case!

Is my dry mouth due to COVID-19?

A dry mouth can have many causes besides an infection with the coronavirus, such as:

Certain medicines
Sleeping with your mouth open
Dehydration
Anxiety
A fungal infection of the mouth called oral thrush
Certain conditions, such as type 1 diabetes, hyperthyroidism, renal failure, and HIV

Getting tested for COVID-19 and taking into account any other symptoms you might experience can help indicate whether or not your dry mouth is due to an infection with the coronavirus.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The result is difficulty speaking and swallowing food or liquids. In addition to this discomforting feeling, dry mouth can also lead to other complications such as tooth decay and gum diseases due to a lack of saliva which helps wash away bacteria and food particles in our mouths.

When diagnosing COVID-19 with dry mouth as a symptom, doctors will typically perform a physical examination followed by laboratory tests such as nasopharyngeal swabbing, urine testing, and chest X-rays. Blood tests may also be performed to detect specific antibodies, which can help identify if an individual has been infected with SARS-CoV-2 – the virus responsible for causing COVID-19.

If dry mouth is present and it appears to be related to the infection, then this should also be taken into consideration during diagnosis. However, it’s important to keep in mind that just because an individual has a dry mouth doesn’t necessarily mean they have COVID-19 – other conditions, such as allergies, could also be the cause. That being said, if you notice this symptom accompanied by any of the signs mentioned earlier, it’s best to contact your doctor for further evaluation and treatment.

Treatment Options

The treatment for COVID-19 with dry mouth and other oral symptoms will depend on the severity of the case. In mild cases, doctors may recommend self-care measures such as:

drinking lots of water
avoiding caffeinated beverages
sucking on sugar-free candy or ice cubes
avoiding smoking
using an alcohol-free mouthwash
chewing gum to stimulate saliva production
using a humidifier in your home

In more severe cases, prescription medications may be necessary to treat underlying conditions causing dry mouth. These could include antihistamines if allergies are present or antibiotics if the infection is suspected. Oxygen therapy might also be required to increase blood oxygen levels which can impact salivary secretion.

Finally, an oral health professional should be consulted if any accompanying oral issues, such as cavities or gum disease, are present so that they can provide further advice on how to best manage these conditions during recovery from COVID-19. This is important as certain treatments for dental problems – such as x-rays – may not be safe for someone with a weakened immune system due to the virus.

Prevention of Dry Mouth in the Times of COVID-19

To help prevent dry mouth, with or without COVID-19, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene habits such as regular brushing and flossing your teeth. Additionally, avoid smoking or drinking alcohol, as these can severely dehydrate the body and reduce saliva production.

It’s also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and limiting your consumption of caffeinated beverages. Additionally, try to avoid dry environments as much as possible – whether at home or in public areas such as shopping malls or public transport – as this can increase the chances of developing a dry mouth.

Finally, if you notice any signs of dry mouth, contact your doctor immediately so they can evaluate you for a potential COVID-19 infection and provide further advice on managing this symptom.

Conclusion

A dry mouth may be one of the early indications of infection with the coronavirus. It is, however, important to keep in mind that a variety of other conditions can also cause a dry mouth. If you’re in doubt, your general practitioner can provide you with advice and possible treatment strategies.