Episode: Dry Mouth - Why It Happens and What It Means

🎙️ Bite-Sized Dental | Episode: Dry Mouth - Why It Happens and What It Means  
Hosts: Dr Bing Lee & Glenn Hartas

Transcript

Glenn Hartas
You’re listening to Way FM 105.3—your positive alternative.
Now here’s something you might not think about until it becomes a daily frustration—dry mouth. It might seem small, but it can have a big impact on your oral health.
Joining us as always is Dr Bing from Innova Dental. Welcome back!

Dr Bing
Hey Glenn—thanks for having me!

Glenn Hartas
So what causes dry mouth?

Dr Bing
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, the technical name, happens when your body isn’t producing enough saliva. And saliva does more than just keep your mouth moist—it helps protect your teeth, wash away bacteria, and start the digestion process.

Glenn Hartas
So what causes it to slow down?

Dr Bing
Lots of things can cause your salivary flow to go down. The biggest one that we see is medications - Blood pressure meds, antidepressants, antihistamines—many of them have dry mouth as a side effect. It can also come from stress, dehydration, diabetes, or even just getting older.

Glenn Hartas
So it’s more common than people think?

Dr Bing
Very common—and a lot of people don’t realise it’s happening until they start getting bad breath, mouth discomfort, or more commonly, tooth decay. Without enough saliva, your mouth loses one of its best defences.

Glenn Hartas
So what can you do about it?

Dr Bing
That’s where we come in. At Innova Dental, we assess what’s causing it, and we help patients manage dry mouth in simple, practical ways—from using salivary substitutes, to recommending the right products, to adjusting hygiene routines.
In some cases, it’s about working with your GP to tweak medications or managing medical conditions alongside your dental care.

Glenn Hartas
I love that you look at the full picture—not just the teeth.

Dr Bing
That’s what we’re all about—whole-patient care, without the overwhelm. If your mouth feels dry all the time, don’t ignore it—it’s a sign your body needs a little support.

Glenn Hartas
So if someone’s noticing dry mouth more often—or dealing with new medications—what should they do?

Dr Bing
Book an examination with us. We’ll have a proper look, talk through your symptoms, and create a plan that’s gentle, supportive, and easy to follow. You can book online at innovadental.com.au or call the team—we’d love to help.

Glenn Hartas
That’s Dr Bing from Innova Dental—real solutions for real-life smiles. Thanks again!

Dr Bing
Thanks Glenn!

Glenn Hartas
Innova Dental—Effortless Smiles, Stress-Free Process. Book your dry mouth consultation today at innovadental.com.au or call now.

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