Yes, anxiety can cause dry mouth. When someone is experiencing anxiety, they may start to feel a constant, uncomfortable dryness in their mouth. This is because anxiety causes the body to produce a hormone called cortisol, which can lead to the salivary glands slowing down or even stopping the production of saliva.
The lack of saliva can lead to a dry mouth, which can cause other symptoms like bad breath, a feeling of a dry, sticky tongue, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, and even sores in the mouth. This can be very uncomfortable and can further add to the feelings of anxiety.
In addition to the dryness, anxiety can also cause a person to grind their teeth, which can further contribute to the feeling of a dry mouth. Teeth grinding can wear down the enamel on the teeth, and can also cause the gums to recede, leading to an even drier mouth.
There are several ways to help relieve dry mouth caused by anxiety. First, it is important to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to help keep the mouth moist. Avoiding drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol can also help, as these can contribute to dryness. Finally, chewing gum or sucking on hard candy can help stimulate saliva production and reduce the feeling of dryness.
If the dry mouth symptoms caused by anxiety are severe, it is important to talk to a doctor in order to find a more long-term solution. There are medications available that can help to reduce the dryness caused by anxiety and make it easier to cope with. Additionally, relaxation techniques and counseling can help to reduce the overall levels of anxiety, which can help to alleviate the dry mouth symptoms.