Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, occurs when there is insufficient saliva to keep the mouth wet, which can impact oral health and daily comfort.
The Role of Saliva
Saliva, or spit, is made by your salivary glands and helps keep you and your mouth healthy by:
- Moistening and breaking down food to make chewing and swallowing easier.
- Washing away small food pieces from teeth and gums to fight tooth decay.
- Providing minerals like calcium and phosphate to fight tooth decay.
- Containing antibodies—proteins made by your immune system—to fight infections of the mouth and throat.
What is Dry Mouth?
Having dry mouth, also called xerostomia, means that you don't have enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. While everyone experiences this occasionally, having a dry mouth most of the time can make chewing, swallowing, and talking difficult, and increases the risk for tooth decay or mouth infections.
Causes
Possible causes of dry mouth include:
- Side effects of certain medicines: Such as those for high blood pressure, depression, and bladder-control issues.
- Diseases: Such as Sjogren's syndrome, HIV, salivary gland disorders, and diabetes.
- Radiation therapy: Can damage salivary glands if exposed during treatment.
- Chemotherapy: Can make saliva thicker.
- Nerve damage: Involving nerves that signal salivary glands to produce saliva.
- Lifestyle factors: Breathing through your mouth or the use of alcohol, tobacco, or other substances.
Symptoms
- A sticky, dry feeling in your mouth
- Trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking
- A burning feeling in your mouth
- A dry feeling in your throat
- Cracked lips
- A dry, rough tongue
- Mouth sores or infections
- Bad breath
Diagnosis and Treatment
Your health care provider or dentist will review your medical history, examine your mouth, and ask about your medications. They may also suggest blood tests or saliva production measurements.
Treatment depends on the cause. Your provider may adjust your medications, or provide artificial saliva or medication to stimulate gland function. You can also relieve symptoms by:
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
- Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless hard candy.
- Avoiding spicy or salty foods.
- Using a humidifier at night.
- Using a mouthwash made for dry mouth.
Because dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay, brush and floss regularly and see your dentist at least twice a year.