Dry Mouth - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and Prevention

Saliva, or spit, is made by the salivary glands and is very important for a healthy mouth. It moistens and breaks down food, washes away food particles from the teeth and gums, and helps people with swallowing. In addition, saliva contains minerals such as calcium and phosphate that help keep teeth strong and fight tooth decay.

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia (ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah), is the condition of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. Dry mouth can happen to anyone occasionally—for example, when nervous or stressed. However, when dry mouth persists, it can make chewing, swallowing, and even talking difficult. Dry mouth also increases the risk for tooth decay or fungal infections in the mouth because saliva helps keep harmful germs in check.

Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. If you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or doctor to find out why your mouth is dry.

Causes
There are several possible causes of dry mouth:

Side effects of some medicines. Hundreds of medicines can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva. For example, medicines for high blood pressure, depression, and bladder-control issues often cause dry mouth.
Disease. Sjögren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes can all cause dry mouth.
Radiation therapy. The salivary glands can be damaged if they are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy. Drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker, causing the mouth to feel dry.
Nerve damage. Injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva.
Symptoms
Symptoms of dry mouth include:

A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth.
Trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking.
A burning feeling in the mouth.
A dry feeling in the throat.
Cracked lips.
A dry, rough tongue.
Mouth sores.
An infection in the mouth.
Bad breath.
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Diagnosis
Your doctor or dentist will review your medical history and ask about any medications you take. He or she may also suggest blood tests or a test that measures how much saliva you produce.

Treatment
Depending on the cause of your dry mouth, your health care provider can recommend appropriate treatment. For example, if medication is causing dry mouth, the doctor or dentist may advise changing medications or adjusting the dosages, or may prescribe a saliva substitute.

There are also self-care steps you can take to help ease dry mouth, such as drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol. Good oral care at home and regular dental check-ups will help keep your mouth healthy.

[ms.understood]

I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer @ 35, terminally ill is what they said in 2015 and I'm still kickin', cancer is not necessarily a death sentence. 🤙🏻

[rebmitshotable]

My mouth has been dry for a week I'm going insane

[OsasuStella-hwlk]

Your generosity towards my bad breath and acid reflux is incomparable, you assured me of getting healed just within 2 months and it was so. Thanks a lot Dr Emovon on YouTube I will keep letting the world know about your good work and about your YouTube channel..❤

[Kylanthakid]

My tonsils has infection do it cause my mouth to dry and sticky

[robertb]

My name is Lewis Robert Burton Jr and I go to the Thomasville Georgia medical and mental health services!
I took my new bottle of Depakote 10/7/2023 last night and a half hour later my mouth went dry! And when I woke up this morning my mouth was full and I mean full of bright red blood! What the hell happened to me since last night! You tell me psychiatrist Dr. Eugene Sun!

[mick]

Put 3 crystals of sea salt in your mouth before bed..

[leonidvedine]

Has anyone else had success with mouth taping at night? I had the worst taste and odor until i starting mouth taping. My dentist said that my gums are inflamed due to mouth breathing and I would constantly wake up with dry mouth needing water and now i wake up with way less bad taste and smell.

[mauron]

I only feel dry when I eat or drink or when my tongue touches the upper teeth exteriors side otherwise I feel like I have enough saliva.

[jwhpdbn]

I haveba question does mums can damage nerve

[shohagmozumder]

I am also feeling this pain, i can't read properly for this, can't talk feel pain in tongue while talking, studying, i have visited my dentist bt she gave me a oral gel toothpaste and vit c supliment bt still i feel pain in my tongue, what can I do you? Can you suggest please

[jesusrobles]

So I have an issue with my mouth/ tongue!! For 2 months now I’ve been experiencing sporadic Dry mouth and tongue… it comes and goes !! Ive been checked medically and blood work checks out good! Glucose is at steady levels!! But I do drink lots of water and stopped drinking soda and alcohol since those 2 months. Still my mouth manages Togo dry or atleast I feel it.. it
Is annoying bc of it I feel like
My throat also starts to lock up and I start to panic a bit….Not sure if it is anxiety related but I feel like it could be! What would you recommend ??

[annucoco]

I have dry
Wen i sleep why u ni saying this

[emmauya]

You have my maximum respect Dr Igudia, I am now negative from my diabetes after I did the test, I wonder what might have become of me it I didn't get the herbal cure From your YouTube channel. God bless you sir

[imboredDB]

My dry mouth a couple of weeks ago, im scared to death i might have diabetes 😢😢😢😢; Dr tomorrow.

[spirofarmaku]

I do have endocrine problems and dry mouth, is there any connection

[yolandagrabowski]

My neighbors neighbors say tokin is my dry mouth. I don't toke.

[Urmomsdaddy]

i might have diabetes😟 idk how tho i hardly eat sweets besides chocolate and i only drink juice and water. how?!

[moresalesoryourmoneyback]

Useless video
"go to your healthcare provider and follow the advice of your doctor"