Yes, the flu can cause dry mouth.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
When you have the flu, nasal congestion is a common symptom. This forces you to breathe through your mouth, especially while sleeping. Prolonged mouth breathing leads to dehydration in the oral cavity, resulting in a dry mouth sensation. The lack of saliva can also contribute to aching teeth and gums.
Here's a breakdown of why this happens:
- Mouth Breathing: Flu-related nasal congestion often leads to breathing through the mouth.
- Saliva Reduction: Mouth breathing evaporates saliva, reducing moisture.
- Dehydration: The body loses fluids through mouth breathing, exacerbating the dry mouth.
- Medications: Certain over-the-counter flu medications, like decongestants and antihistamines, can also contribute to dry mouth as a side effect.
Therefore, while the flu itself can contribute to dry mouth, the associated nasal congestion and subsequent mouth breathing are the primary causes.
