DENTAL ADVICE · SMILE BY DR NOURA
Dry mouth and bad breath during Ramadan
A changed routine can affect how your mouth feels. Persistent dryness or bad breath has several possible causes and should not automatically be attributed to fasting.
Updated 21 October 2026
Notice the pattern
Make a note of when dryness or odour occurs and whether there is soreness, a change in taste or difficulty eating. Tell the team about medicines and other symptoms. This helps distinguish an occasional change from a persistent problem.
Plan care outside fasting hours
When not fasting, drink water regularly unless your clinician has given you a fluid restriction. Keep your usual mouth-cleaning routine. Cleaning the tongue gently can be part of managing bad breath, but avoid scrubbing until it hurts.
Avoid masking a persistent problem
Bad breath that does not improve with self-care, or dryness with pain or difficulty eating, deserves assessment. A mouthwash may mask an odour without addressing its cause. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before choosing a product for persistent dryness.
Do not change medicines yourself
Some medicines can contribute to a dry mouth. Speak to the prescriber or pharmacist rather than stopping them or moving doses to fit fasting without advice. If you have health concerns about fasting, discuss them before Ramadan when possible.
Questions to bring to your visit
- Could a medicine contribute to dryness?
- Do my symptoms need an examination?
- Which self-care products suit my situation?
Let’s talk about your question
Contact Smile by Dr Noura to arrange a visit or discuss the next step. Find us at Building A1, Lower Ground, Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis.
