National Institutes of Health What do I need to know The technical term for about dry mouth? Dry mouth is the feeling dry mouth is xerostomia • can be caused by certain medi- that there is not enough saliva cations or medical treatments (ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah) in the mouth. Dry mouth is not a normal Everyone has a dry mouth part of aging. So if you think once in a while—if they are you have dry mouth, see your nervous, upset or under stress. dentist or physician—there are things you can do to get relief. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be Symptoms include: uncomfortable and can lead to • a sticky, dry feeling in serious health problems. It can the mouth also be a sign of certain diseases and conditions. • trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking Dry mouth… • a burning feeling in • can cause difficulties in the mouth tasting, chewing, swallowing, • a dry feeling in the throat and speaking • cracked lips • can increase your chance of developing dental decay and • a dry, rough tongue other infections in the mouth • mouth sores • an infection in the mouth Some people feel they Why is saliva What causes so important? dry mouth? have a dry mouth Saliva does more than keep People get dry mouth when the mouth wet. the glands in the mouth that even if their salivary make saliva are not working • It helps digest food properly. Because of this, there glands are working • It protects teeth from decay might not be enough saliva to correctly. People with • It prevents infection by keep your mouth wet. There are controlling bacteria and fungi several reasons why these glands certain disorders, like in the mouth (called salivary glands) might not • It makes it possible for you to work right. Alzheimer’s disease or chew and swallow • Side effects of some medicines. More than 400 those who have suffered Without enough saliva you medicines can cause the can develop tooth decay or other salivary glands to make less a stroke, may not be infections in the mouth. You also saliva. For example, medicines might not get the nutrients you for high blood pressure able to feel wetness in need if you cannot chew and and depression often cause swallow certain foods. dry mouth. their mouth. What can be done about dry mouth? • Disease. Some diseases Dry mouth treatment will affect the salivary glands. For depend on what is causing the example, Sjögren’s syndrome, problem. If you think you have HIV/AIDS, and diabetes can dry mouth, see your dentist or all cause dry mouth. physician. He or she can try to • Radiation therapy. The determine what is causing your salivary glands can be dry mouth. damaged if they are • If your dry mouth is caused exposed to radiation by medicine, your physician during cancer treatment. might change your medicine • Chemotherapy. Drugs used or adjust the dosage. to treat cancer can make • If your salivary glands are saliva thicker, causing the not working right but can still mouth to feel dry. produce some saliva, your • Nerve Damage. Injury to the physician or dentist might head or neck can damage give you a medicine that helps the nerves that tell salivary the glands work better. glands to make saliva. • Your physician or dentist might suggest that you use artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet. What can I do? Tips for keeping your • Sip water or sugarless teeth healthy drinks often. Remember, if you have dry • Avoid drinks with caffeine, mouth, you need to be extra such as coffee, tea, and some careful to keep your teeth sodas. Caffeine can dry out healthy. Make sure you: the mouth. • Gently brush your teeth at • Sip water or a sugarless drink least twice a day. during meals. This will make • Floss your teeth regularly. chewing and swallowing easier. It may also improve • Use toothpaste with fluoride the taste of food. in it. Most toothpastes sold at grocery and drug stores have • Chew sugarless gum or suck fluoride in them. on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva flow; citrus, • Avoid sticky, sugary foods. cinnamon or mint-flavored If you do eat them, brush candies are good choices. immediately afterwards. Some sugarless chewing gums • Visit your dentist for a check- and candies contain xylitol up at least twice a year. Your and may help prevent cavities. dentist might also suggest you • Don’t use tobacco or alcohol. use a prescription-strength They dry out the mouth. fluoride gel (which is like a toothpaste) to help prevent • Be aware that spicy or salty dental decay. foods may cause pain in a dry mouth. • Use a humidifier at night. For information on Sjögren’s Syndrome: The main symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome are dry mouth and dry eyes. For information about Sjögren’s syndrome, contact: Sjögren’s Syndrome Clinic Sjögren’s Syndrome National Institute of Dental Foundation, Inc. and Craniofacial Research 10701 Parkridge Blvd., Suite 170 Building 10, Room 1N110 Reston, VA 20191 10 Center Drive MSC 1190 1–800–475–6473 Bethesda, MD 20892–1190 301–594–3097 www.sjogrens.org Visit www.nidcr.nih.gov and search for “sjogren’s syndrome clinic”
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National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse 1 NOHIC Way Bethesda, MD 20892–3500 This publication is not 1–866–232–4528 www.nidcr.nih.gov copyrighted. Make as many photocopies as you need. NIH Publication No. 19-3174 May 2019