A dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. There are many possible causes for this, including medication side effects, dehydration, aging, certain medical treatments, health conditions, lifestyle factors, and nerve damage.
Common Causes of Dry Mouth
- Medications: Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs for depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, allergies, pain, and asthma can reduce saliva production.
- Dehydration: Fluid loss from vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, or not drinking enough water can lower saliva output.
- Aging: Older adults often have more health conditions and take more medications that contribute to dry mouth.
- Cancer Treatments: Radiation or chemotherapy, especially targeting the head and neck, can damage salivary glands.
- Health Conditions: Diabetes, Sjögren’s syndrome, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, and other autoimmune or systemic diseases can impact saliva production.
- Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, alcohol use, marijuana, and mouth breathing or snoring can lead to dryness.
- Nerve Damage: Injuries or surgery involving nerves around the head and neck may disrupt saliva secretion.
Effects and Symptoms
Dry mouth can cause discomfort, difficulty chewing or swallowing, sore throat, cracked lips, loss of taste, and increased risk of tooth decay and infections due to reduced saliva’s protective functions. If the dry mouth is persistent, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment based on the underlying cause.
