Dry mouth: Causes, symptoms and what you can do

Everyone has experienced dry mouth before. You fall asleep with a stuffy nose, get nervous before public speaking or exercise in the heat, and before you know it, you desperately need a drink. Usually, the feeling passes after a few sips.

When the issue keeps coming back or never fully goes away, however, you may be dealing with more than just thirst. Your body may not be making enough saliva, or your saliva may not be working the way it should. That can affect how your mouth feels and, in turn, how well it protects your teeth and gums.

Understanding dry mouth

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, happens when you don’t have enough saliva to keep the inside of your mouth moist. It can also happen when saliva feels thick or stringy instead of thin and easy to swallow.

At first, dry mouth may feel like a small annoyance. Over time, it can make everyday things like eating, speaking and sleeping more difficult. It can also lead to serious dental problems if not addressed, which is why it’s important you don’t shrug it off.

Dry mouth symptoms

People may experience dry mouth differently. Some people notice a sticky feeling or a dry throat, while others have cracked lips, bad breath or a burning feeling on the tongue or inside the mouth.

It can also affect how well your mouth works. You may have trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting or speaking with dry mouth. Some people even get mouth sores or repeated infections. These symptoms can point to several possible causes, so the next step is understanding what may be behind them.

What causes dry mouth?

Dry mouth has many possible causes. Sometimes it happens because of dehydration, mouth breathing, smoking , medication or alcohol use. It can also happen because of medical conditions and treatments such as:

• Sjögren’s disease. This immune system condition can affect the glands that make saliva.
• Diabetes. Changes in blood sugar can contribute to dry mouth.
• HIV/AIDS. The condition or its treatment may affect saliva.
• Cancer treatment. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy can all lead to dry mouth.
• Nerve damage. Damage to nerves in the head or neck can affect saliva production.

Medications that cause dry mouth

For many people, though, the cause of dry mouth is something they take every day. Hundreds of medicines can reduce saliva or change how saliva feels. Common medicines that can cause dry mouth include:

• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• High blood pressure medication
• Antidepressants
• Bladder control medicines

Don’t stop taking a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor. If symptoms started after a new medicine or dose change, tell your doctor or dentist. Your doctor may adjust the dose, suggest another medicine or recommend ways to protect your teeth while you keep taking the medicine you need.

Why saliva is important for oral health

Saliva does things you don’t think about until they become challenging. It moistens food, helps you swallow, supports your sense of taste and helps wash food out of your mouth. It also contains minerals that help keep teeth strong, so when saliva is low, your teeth have less natural protection.

Dry mouth, cavities and infection risk

Without enough saliva, food particles and germs can stay on the teeth longer. This can make cavities more likely, especially along the gumline, between teeth or around older dental work.

Dry mouth can also raise the risk of fungal infections. Call your doctor or dentist if you notice white patches, redness, pain, sores or a burning feeling that does not improve. Once the cause is clearer, treatment can focus on both comfort and protection.

How to treat dry mouth

Treatment depends on what the root of the problem is. Your doctor or dentist may ask about your symptoms, medical history and medications. They may also check your mouth, look for sores or infections and talk with you about when the dryness started.

If a medication is causing dry mouth, your doctor may adjust the dose or switch you to something else. Your dentist or doctor may recommend artificial saliva, a saliva substitute or other products that help keep your mouth moist. They may also suggest more frequent dental visits if your risk of cavities is higher.

Dry mouth relief at home

While you and your care team look for the cause, small daily changes may help you feel more comfortable and protect your teeth, such as:

• Drink water. Sip water during the day and with meals.
• Try sugar-free gum. Chewing sugar free gum may help stimulate saliva.
• Use sugar-free candy. Sugar free hard candy may help keep your mouth moist.
• Limit caffeine. Coffee, tea and some sodas can make dry mouth feel worse.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Both can dry and irritate the mouth.
• Sleep with a humidifier. A humidifier may help if your mouth feels dry at night.

When to call a doctor or dentist about dry mouth

Dry mouth is common, but you don’t have to learn to live with it. Finding the cause can help you feel better and protect your oral health.

Call your doctor or dentist if dry mouth doesn’t go away, affects eating or speaking, causes mouth sores or comes with frequent infections. You should also call if symptoms start after a new medicine or medical treatment.

Frequently asked questions about dry mouth

Why is my mouth always dry?

Your mouth may be dry because your body is not making enough saliva. Medicines, health conditions, cancer treatments, dehydration and mouth breathing can all cause dry mouth. If your mouth only gets dry infrequently, it may not be a serious problem.

What medications cause dry mouth?

Many medicines can cause dry mouth, including some medicines for high blood pressure, depression and bladder-control issues. These medicines may reduce saliva or change how saliva feels. Talk with your doctor before changing or stopping any prescribed medicine.

Can dry mouth cause cavities?

Yes. Saliva helps protect teeth by washing away food particles and helping control germs. When you do not have enough saliva, cavities can develop more easily. That’s why it’s important that you schedule regular checkups with your dentist.

How can I treat dry mouth naturally?

Water, sugar-free gum, sugar-free hard candy, limiting caffeine and avoiding tobacco and alcohol may help relieve dry mouth. A humidifier may also help if symptoms are worse at night. Ask your doctor or dentist if symptoms continue.

When should I call my doctor?

Call if dry mouth continues, affects your daily activities, causes sores or comes with frequent infections. You should also call if symptoms start after a new medicine or medical treatment. A doctor or dentist can help find the cause and recommend treatment.