Dry Mouth Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

You might believe that dry mouth is more of an annoyance than a serious condition. However, it can be a health risk.

Chronic dryness (xerostomia) can affect your teeth, sleep, and overall well-being. Thankfully, it isn’t life-threatening.

In this article, we’ll discuss dry mouth, why it happens, and how you can treat it.

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Dry Mouth Causes, Symptoms u0026 Treatment

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What is Dry Mouth and Why Does it Happen?

Dry mouth is a condition that occurs when the salivary glands in the mouth don’t produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist.

It’s commonly caused by certain medications like antihypertensives, SSRIs, antidepressants, antihistamines, and opioids for pain relief. These medications can interfere with saliva production, leaving your mouth dry.

However, it can also be caused by health conditions such as:

• Diabetes
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Sleep apnea
• Dehydration

Lastly, radiation therapy used to treat cancers of the neck, head, face, or salivary glands can increase mouth dryness.

Other Causes of Dry Mouth

Aside from medications and health conditions, other factors can contribute to the development of dry mouth. For instance, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use can cause dry mouth.

Tobacco slows down saliva production, alcohol can cause dehydration, and excessive marijuana or amphetamine use can cause dry mouth symptoms. Poor dietary habits and mouth breathing can also lead to dry mouth.

Nerve damage to the neck or head caused by an injury or surgery can decrease saliva production. Finally, as people age, the risk of dry mouth increases.

What Are the Symptoms of Dry Mouth?

The most common signs of dry mouth include:

• Dry throat, tongue, and inner cheek lining
• Thickened saliva
• Dry or cracked lips
• Bad breath, especially in the morning
• Scratchy or sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Abnormal voice changes or difficulty speaking
• Abnormal changes in taste
• Difficulty eating, chewing, and swallowing
• Sticky tongue

When to See a Dentist or Doctor

Consider seeing a dentist or doctor if you suddenly experience dry mouth without a clear cause. You should also see a dentist if your symptoms last more than a couple of weeks, especially if you experience other symptoms, such as:

• White patches
• Swelling
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain
• Fever
• Cavities
• Persistent bad breath

Why Should You Get Treatment for Dry Mouth?

Saliva is crucial in keeping your teeth healthy by washing away bacteria and neutralizing acids. Without it, you risk developing: 

• Cavities
• Dental erosion
• Oral fungal infections (oral thrush)
• Canker sores
• Gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis)

Additionally, persistent dry mouth often disrupts sleep, leading to fatigue and reduced quality of life. It can also lead to bad breath, which can affect a person’s self-esteem.

How is Dry Mouth Treated?

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription treatments are available for dry mouth. These can help stimulate saliva production, and some are intended to bring your saliva content back into balance:

• Prescription medications that stimulate your salivary glands (such as Salagen or Exoxac)
• OTC artificial saliva substitutes
• MI Paste, a dental cream designed to restore calcium and phosphate to overly acidic saliva
• Biotène dry mouth products including a paste, lozenge, mouthwash, and spray
• Fluoride toothpaste or fluoride trays (these can be found OTC or prescribed)
• Alcohol-free mouthwash
• Sugar-free gum or hard candy with xylitol (helps increase salivary flow)

You should always speak with a doctor before using any medications or over-the-counter products.

At-Home Treatments for Dry Mouth

Depending on the condition’s severity, there are natural ways to reduce dry mouth, including:

• Drinking water regularly to stay hydrated
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate your mouth
• Avoiding certain medications, such as decongestants and antihistamines
• Stopping all tobacco and/or nicotine use
• Breathing through your nose and avoiding mouth breathing
• Avoiding sugary foods and drinks, such as candy and fruit juices
• A humidifier to reduce dryness caused by mouth breathing
• Avoid sugar-containing lozenges and alcohol-based mouthwashes

How to Prevent Dry Mouth

A good oral hygiene routine is one of the best ways to prevent dry mouth. This prevents bacteria from building up and helps keep your mouth moist. 

You can also opt for a low-acid and low-sugar diet to reduce oral irritation and bacterial growth. Staying hydrated is also a good way to prevent dry mouth.

Lastly, sleeping on your side or using nasal strips helps maintain closed-mouth breathing overnight. To prevent dryness, CPAP users may want to use the humidification feature included in most modern CPAP machines.