(dry mouth) Saliva, or spit, is made by your salivary glands. It helps keep you and your mouth healthy. For example: It moistens and breaks down the foods you eat, which makes it easier for you to chew and swallow.; It washes away small food pieces from your teeth and gums, which helps fight against tooth decay.; It contains minerals such as calcium and phosphate, which can also help fight tooth decay.; It contains antibodies that can fight against infections of the mouth and throat. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes to fight foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. Having dry mouth, also called xerostomia, means that you don't have enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while, like when you are nervous or stressed. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable. It can make chewing, swallowing, and even talking difficult. It also raises your risk for tooth decay or infections in the mouth. There are many possible causes of dry mouth, including: Side effects of certain medicines, such as some medicines for high blood pressure, depression, and bladder-control issues; Diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome, HIV, salivary gland disorders, and diabetes; Radiation therapy, which can damage your salivary glands if they are exposed to radiation during the treatment; Chemotherapy, which can make your saliva thicker and cause your mouth to feel dry; Nerve damage, when it involves the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva; Breathing through your mouth; Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other substances. The symptoms of dry mouth may include: A sticky, dry feeling in your mouth; Trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking; A burning feeling in your mouth; A dry feeling in your throat; Cracked lips; A dry, rough tongue; Mouth sores; An infection in your mouth; Bad breath. If you have dry mouth, it's important to find out the cause. To do that, your health care provider or dentist will review your medical history, examine your mouth, and ask about any medicines you take. They may also suggest blood tests or a test that measures how much saliva you produce. Treatment for dry mouth depends on the cause. For example, if a medicine is causing dry mouth, your provider or dentist may suggest adjusting the dosage or switching medicines. In some cases, they might give you artificial saliva or a medicine to help your salivary glands work better. There are also several things you can do to help relieve your symptoms: Drink plenty of water; Avoid drinks with caffeine, which can dry out your mouth; Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva flow; Avoid spicy or salty foods because they can cause pain if your mouth is dry; Avoid alcohol and tobacco; Using a humidifier at night; Use a mouthwash made for dry mouth. Since dry mouth can raise your risk of tooth decay, it's important to brush and floss your teeth regularly and see your dentist at least twice a year. NIH: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

(dry mouth) The condition of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth moist.

Dry mouth. It occurs when the body is not able to make enough saliva.

Dryness of the mouth due to salivary gland dysfunction.

Dryness of the oral mucosa secondary to a decrease in saliva production, or a change in saliva composition.

(dry mouth) A disorder characterized by reduced salivary flow in the oral cavity.

Xerostomia is dry mouth caused by reduced or absent flow of saliva. This condition can result in discomfort, interfere with speech and swallowing, make wearing dentures difficult, cause halitosis, and impair oral hygiene by causing a decrease in oral pH and an increase in bacterial growth. Long-standing xerostomia can result in severe...

Dry mouth, or xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Dry mouth is often due to the side effect of certain medications or aging issues or as a result of radiation therapy for cancer. Less often, dry mouth may be caused by a condition...