A dry mouth occurs when your salivary glands don't produce enough saliva. This can happen due to dehydration, medication side effects, or medical conditions like diabetes. Saliva keeps your mouth moist, protects teeth from decay, and aids digestion.
Salivary glands constantly produce saliva. When something disrupts this process, your mouth becomes dry. Common triggers include dehydration, certain medications, and health conditions like Sjögren's syndrome. Even stress or anxiety can temporarily reduce saliva flow.
Dry mouth has many causes. The most common ones include:
If dry mouth persists for days or weeks, consult a doctor. Chronic dry mouth (xerostomia) can lead to dental decay, gum disease, and infections. A doctor can identify underlying causes and recommend treatments like saliva substitutes or medications that stimulate saliva flow.
I once had a patient who complained of constant dry mouth. After reviewing their medications, we discovered an antihistamine was the culprit. Switching to a different drug resolved the issue within days.
Many people assume dry mouth is harmless. However, long-term dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and oral infections. Others think it's only caused by dehydration, but medications and medical conditions play a bigger role in chronic cases.
According to the American Dental Association, over 20% of older adults experience dry mouth. Many cases go untreated because people assume it's a normal part of aging.