Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Dry mouth is a common condition in which a person feels there is not enough saliva in the mouth. The scientific name for dry mouth is Xerostomia. The prevalence of dry mouth increases with age.

Medication

• More than 1,800 drugs can cause dry mouth, but those used for depression, allergies, anxiety, high blood pressure and Parkinson's disease are among the main offenders, according to drymouth.info.

Diseases

• Some medical conditions can cause dry mouth. Among them are Sjogren's syndrome, dehydration, AIDS and diabetes.

Decreased Ability

• Chewing exercises the muscles in the mouth. When a person chews less, the muscles and salivary glands will shrink and produce less saliva. This causes dry mouth.

Therapeutic Irradiation

• Radiation for cancer of the head and neck can damage salivary glands. This radiation can sometimes permanently inhibit or stop saliva production.

Treatment

• Treatment for dry mouth includes sipping water and sugar-free juices, chewing sugar-free gum, and sucking cherries, olive pits, or the rind of lemons or limes. The drugs Salagen and Evoxac are used to relieve the feeling of a dry mouth.