Dry mouth: Overview
Dry mouth, or xerostomia (say "zee-ruh-STO-mee-uh"), occurs when your mouth doesn't make enough saliva. Saliva helps you chew, swallow, and digest your food. It also neutralizes the acids that form in your mouth. Dry mouth can make it hard to swallow or talk. Over time, it can lead to mouth infections, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Dry mouth is often a side effect of medicines like diuretics, antihistamines, and decongestants. But it has many possible causes, including cancer treatments and aging.
If medicines are causing dry mouth, your doctor may change the type or dose of the medicine. You may also get medicine to help you make more saliva.
To avoid the effects of dry mouth, your dentist may apply fluoride to your teeth. This helps prevent tooth decay. You may also get mouthwash to fight bacteria. You may need more frequent dental checkups.
Dry mouth (xerostomia)
Dry mouth, or xerostomia (say “zee-ruh-STO-mee-uh”), is a condition in which the mouth doesn't produce enough saliva. Saliva helps neutralize the acid caused by plaque. And it helps flush away sugars that stick to teeth.
Xerostomia has many possible causes. But it is most often a side effect of medicine.
Mild or moderate dry mouth can usually be improved by taking frequent sips of water, chewing sugar-free gum, or sucking on sugar-free hard candy. Mouth lubricants and saliva substitutes can help to moisten the mouth and throat. More severe dry mouth symptoms may need treatment with medicine.
People with dry mouth need to be especially attentive to their dental care.
What are the symptoms of dry mouth?
Dry mouth may make it hard to chew, swallow, taste, or speak. It can also cause symptoms such as hoarseness, a sore throat, a rough tongue, cracked lips, or bad breath. Over time, dry mouth can lead to mouth infections, gum disease, and tooth decay.
How is dry mouth treated?
If medicine is causing dry mouth, your doctor may change the type or dose of the medicine. You may also take medicine to help you make more saliva. Your dentist may apply fluoride to your teeth, and you may get mouthwash to fight bacteria. You may need more frequent dental checkups.
Preventing dry mouth
A dry mouth is common and can often be prevented. Try some of the following prevention measures.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Use a humidifier in your home, especially in the bedroom.
Follow the directions for cleaning the machine.
- Breathe through your nose rather than through your mouth.
- Do not take medicines that cause a dry mouth.
These include diuretics, antihistamines, and decongestants. Your doctor can help you find a different medicine.
- Avoid caffeinated beverages, tobacco, and alcohol.
These can increase dryness in your mouth.
How is dry mouth diagnosed?
Your doctor or dentist may diagnose dry mouth. You’ll be asked questions about your past health and about the medicines you take. You may have tests, such as blood tests or a test to check the amount of saliva you make.
Treating dry mouth at home
Home treatment may help relieve symptoms of a dry mouth.
- Take frequent sips of liquid throughout the day.
Water is best.
- Use ice chips and sugar-free items.
Items such as sugar-free gum or candy will help keep your mouth moist without promoting tooth decay.
- Eat and drink tart foods and liquids.
Tart food and liquids such as sugar-free lemonade, sugar-free sour candies, or dill pickles can help stimulate the flow of saliva.
- Add extra liquid to foods to make them easier to chew and swallow.
- Drink water with meals.
- Use nonprescription saliva substitutes that you can buy at a pharmacy.
What causes dry mouth?
Dry mouth is most often a side effect of medicine. Some medicines that can cause dry mouth include diuretics, antihistamines, and decongestants. Other possible causes include dehydration, breathing through your mouth, stress or anxiety, smoking, and problems with how the salivary glands work. Low saliva production is common as you age. It's also common with many health conditions, such as Sjögren's syndrome, or with treatments, such as cancer treatments.
If medicine is causing dry mouth, your doctor may change the type or dose of the medicine.
What is dry mouth?
Dry mouth, or xerostomia (say “zee-ruh-STO-mee-uh”), occurs when your mouth doesn't make enough saliva. Saliva helps you chew, swallow, and digest your food. It also neutralizes the acids that form in your mouth. Over time, dry mouth can lead to dental problems.
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