Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a condition in which the salivary glands in the mouth do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Dry mouth is often caused by side effects of certain medications, aging-related issues, or radiation therapy used in cancer treatment.
Saliva neutralizes acids produced by bacteria, limits bacterial growth, washes away food particles, and helps prevent tooth decay. It also enhances taste, and makes chewing and swallowing easier. Additionally, the enzymes in saliva aid in digestion.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Side effects of certain medications.
Dry mouth can occur as a side effect of medications used to treat conditions such as:
Depression
Anxiety
Pain
Allergies and colds
Obesity
Acne
Epilepsy
Hypertension (especially diuretics)
Diarrhea
Nausea
Psychotic disorders
Urinary incontinence
Asthma (some bronchodilators)
Parkinson’s disease
Side effects of certain diseases and infections.
Dry mouth can be a symptom of:
Sjögren’s syndrome
HIV/AIDS
Alzheimer’s disease
Diabetes
Anemia
Cystic fibrosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Hypertension
Parkinson’s disease
Stroke
Mumps
Medical treatments.
Damage to salivary glands can reduce saliva production. This may result from radiation therapy to the head and neck or chemotherapy for cancer.
Nerve damage.
In some cases, dry mouth may result from nerve injury during head and neck surgery or trauma.
Dehydration.
Dry mouth can result from conditions that cause fluid loss, such as:
Fever
Excessive sweating
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Blood loss
Burns
Lifestyle factors.
Smoking or chewing tobacco can affect saliva production and worsen dry mouth. Breathing through the mouth can also aggravate dryness.