Understanding dry mouth: Causes, symptoms and treatments
What is dry mouth?
Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, happens when your salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. Saliva is essential for keeping your mouth moist, helping with digestion, washing away food particles and preventing tooth decay. It also has enzymes and proteins that help fight bacteria and protect your teeth and gums. When your mouth is too dry, it can lead to discomfort, difficulty speaking or swallowing and an increased risk of oral health problems.1
Common symptoms of dry mouth
Dry mouth can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms that may affect your daily life. You might feel dry or sticky in your mouth all the time. This can make talking and swallowing hard. Dry mouth can cause a burning feeling, changes in taste or even trouble wearing dentures. People with chronic dry mouth are also at a higher risk for cavities and gum disease because saliva plays a key role in neutralizing acids and washing away bacteria.2
If you have dry mouth, you may experience:2
- Sticky or dry feeling in your mouth
- Frequent thirst
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking
- Dry or cracked lips
- Sore throat or hoarseness
- Changes in taste
- Increased tooth decay and gum disease.
What causes dry mouth?
There are many reasons why your mouth might feel dry. Dehydration is one of the most common causes. Some medicines can also make you salivate less as a side effect. Chronic health conditions, cancer treatments and certain lifestyle factors can all lead to dry mouth.1,2,3
Common causes of dry mouth:
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough water or losing fluids through sweating, vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dry mouth3
- Medications: Many prescription and over-the-counter medications list dry mouth as a side effect. This includes some medications for depression, anxiety, allergies and high blood pressure.1
- Medical conditions: Certain health issues, like Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can reduce saliva production2
- Cancer treatments: Radiation therapy or chemotherapy can damage salivary glands, causing dryness3
- Smoking or tobacco use: These can lower saliva flow and worsen dry mouth symptoms2
- Aging: While dry mouth isn’t a direct result of aging, older adults are more likely to take medications that cause it1
Dry mouth treatment
If you experience frequent or chronic dry mouth, there are several treatment options available. Over-the-counter products can help keep your mouth moist. For more severe cases, prescription medications may be used to stimulate your salivary glands. Treating the cause and taking good care of your teeth can also help reduce dry mouth symptoms.
Treatment options include:
- Addressing underlying conditions: Treating medical issues or adjusting medications may relieve dry mouth symptoms1
- Saliva substitutes: Over-the-counter saliva sprays, gels and rinses can help keep your mouth moist3
- Prescription medications: In some cases, your provider may prescribe medications to stimulate saliva production2
- Good oral hygiene: Brushing twice a day, flossing and using a fluoride rinse can help prevent cavities and maintain oral health3
Managing dry mouth
Managing dry mouth often requires a combination of lifestyle adjustments and oral care practices. Staying hydrated can help. Chewing foods that help stimulate saliva production and avoiding certain dry mouth triggers can help reduce dryness and irritation. Making these changes may improve your comfort and reduce the risk of oral health problems.1,2,3
Tips for managing dry mouth:
- Drinking water frequently to stay hydrated1
- Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy to stimulate saliva2
- Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, which can worsen dryness3
- Using a humidifier at night to keep the air moist1
- Avoiding spicy or salty foods, which can irritate a dry mouth2
When to see a health care provider for dry mouth
Occasional dry mouth is usually nothing to worry about. However, you should contact your doctor or dentist if you experience constant dryness, difficulty swallowing or frequent cavities. Dry mouth may sometimes be a sign of a medical condition, like Sjogren's syndrome. This condition needs to be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Early treatment can help prevent complications and improve your quality of life.2,3
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