Saliva is needed by all to moisten and cleanse their mouths and digest food. It also prevents infections by controlling bacteria and fungi, which are present in the mouth.

When you don’t make enough saliva, the mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many treatments that can help fight dry mouth, also known as xerostomia.

What are the causes of dry mouth?
The causes of dry mouth include:

• Side effect of certain medicines – Dry mouth is a common side effect associated with many prescription and non-prescription drugs, including those used to treat depression; Parkinson’s disease; anxiety; asthma (certain bronchodilators); pain; urinary incontinence; allergies, and colds (antihistamines and decongestants); psychotic disorders; obesity; nausea; acne; diarrhea; epilepsy; and hypertension (diuretics).
• Side effect of certain diseases and infections – Dry mouth can also be a side effect of medical conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome, mumps, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, anemia, hypertension, cystic fibrosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Side effect of certain medical treatments – The amount of saliva that is produced can reduce because of damage to the salivary glands, the glands that make saliva. For example, the damage to the salivary gland could be because of radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
• Nerve damage – An injury or surgery that causes nerve damage to the head and neck can cause dry mouth.
• Dehydration – Health conditions, such as fever, burns, excessive sweating, blood loss, vomiting, and diarrhea, that cause dehydration can cause dry mouth.
• Removal of salivary glands – The surgical removal of salivary glands can cause dry mouth.
• Lifestyle – Lifestyle habits like smoking or chewing tobacco can affect the amount of saliva you may make and can aggravate dry mouth. Also, breathing with your mouth open can also contribute to this problem

What are the signs and symptoms of dry mouth?
Common signs and symptoms of dry mouth are:

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
• Bad breath
• Frequent thirst
• Sores in the mouth
• Hoarseness, sore throat, dry nasal passages
• Sores or split skin, especially in the corners of the mouth
• Problems speaking or trouble tasting, swallowing, and chewing
• Cracked lips
• A dry, red, and raw tongue
• A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth, especially on the tongue

Why is dry mouth a problem?
Apart from causing the symptoms mentioned above, dry mouth also raises your risk of suffering from gingivitis (gum disease); mouth infections, such as thrush; and tooth decay. It also makes it difficult to wear dentures.

How is dry mouth treated?
If you think you are having a dry mouth because of a certain medication that you are taking, you should consult your doctor. The doctor may adjust the dose you are taking or switch you to a different medication that does not cause dry mouth.

The doctor may also prescribe an oral rinse for restoring mouth moisture. If that also doesn’t help, they may prescribe Salagen, a medication that boosts saliva production.

You may also try some of these other steps that may help improve the flow and production of saliva in your mouth:

• Suck on sugar-free candy or chew sugar-free gum, specifically ones with xylitol.
• To help keep your mouth moist drink plenty of water.
• Visit a dentist regularly. Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste or use a fluoride rinse.