Well, y’know, there’s somethin’ folks been talkin’ about lately—dry mouth, or as the doctors call it, xerostomia. Seems like it’s poppin’ up more and more in people who catch that nasty COVID-19. I reckon if you’ve had the virus, you might’ve noticed your mouth feelin’ real dry, like you’ve been out in the sun all day without a drop of water. This dry mouth thing, it ain’t just about bein’ thirsty, it’s somethin’ that can stick around even after the fever’s gone.
Now, I ain’t no doctor, but I can tell ya from what I’ve heard, dry mouth is one of them things that’s been showin’ up in a lot of COVID cases. Doctors say about 40% of folks who get COVID start dealin’ with a dry mouth at some point. And it don’t just happen when you’re sick, either. Some folks get it even after they get better. I heard tell that dry mouth can be caused by the virus messin’ with your salivary glands, them little parts inside your mouth that make spit. When they get all messed up, your mouth feels dry as dust.
Now, I ain’t no fancy talker, but what I do know is that dry mouth ain’t just about feelin’ thirsty. No, ma’am. It can cause a whole mess of problems. For one, you might find it harder to swallow your food, like it’s all stuck in your throat. Or, you might notice that your lips get chapped, even when you ain’t out in the cold. Some folks even say their saliva gets all foamy, like when you’re bakin’ bread and the dough starts to bubble up. Sounds uncomfortable, don’t it?
Well, if you’re sufferin’ from it, you might wanna try drinkin’ lots of water. I know it ain’t always easy to remember to drink, but it sure does help. Some people say suckin’ on ice cubes helps too, and if you’re real thirsty, try a little bit of sports drink to keep your mouth moist. Anything that’ll help you keep that spit flowin’ is good. Ain’t nothing worse than tryin’ to talk when your mouth feels like the Sahara desert.
But it ain’t just the dryness that comes with this COVID thing. Oh no. Folks have been complainin’ about all sorts of things with their mouths after they catch it. Some can’t taste their food, and that’s another thing they call “dysgeusia.” It’s like your taste buds just up and quit on ya. Ain’t that somethin’? Imagine cookin’ up a pot of your best soup, only for it to taste like nothin’ at all. That’ll surely put a damper on supper time.
Seems like dry mouth and the loss of taste are two of the most common things doctors are seein’ in COVID patients. I read somewhere that these symptoms, along with that dry mouth, are some of the first signs folks get. And it ain’t always right when you catch the virus. Sometimes, people get these symptoms long after they’ve had COVID, especially those who got what they call “long COVID.” Now, that’s a whole other kettle of fish. But even if you don’t have long COVID, dry mouth can stick around and cause problems like tooth decay and even tooth loss. All that dryness can make it easier for germs to hang around in your mouth, which ain’t good for your teeth.
If you ask me, the best thing to do is keep your mouth clean. Brushing your teeth and gums regularly is always a good idea, but make sure you’re real gentle, ‘cause dry mouth can make your gums tender. And if you find that your mouth’s still dry even after you’ve tried drinkin’ water and suckin’ on ice cubes, well, it might be time to have a word with your doctor. They might be able to give you somethin’ to help out with that dryness, maybe even recommend some special mouth rinses or gels.
But don’t go thinkin’ dry mouth is the end of the world. I know it ain’t fun, but it’s one of them things that’s fixable. Just remember to stay hydrated, and don’t let your mouth get too dry. If you got COVID, it’s just another one of them symptoms to keep an eye on. And if you got long COVID, well, take care of yourself the best you can. We’ve all been through a lot, but if we stay on top of things, we can make it through just fine.
So, that’s the scoop. Dry mouth from COVID ain’t somethin’ to take lightly, but with a little care and attention, you can get through it. Drink plenty of water, keep your mouth clean, and if it gets real bad, talk to your doctor. Don’t let it sneak up on you, and take care of yourself. Your mouth’ll thank you later.
Tags：[dry mouth, covid, xerostomia, COVID-19 symptoms, long COVID, dry mouth treatment, oral health, hydration, dysgeusia, saliva production]
