What Causes Dry Mouth? 16 Key Reasons (And How to Fix It)
Dry mouth happens when you don't have enough spit in your mouth. This can make it hard to eat, talk, and can hurt your teeth. Let's look at what makes your mouth dry and how to fix it.
What Is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth (also called xerostomia) is when your mouth does not make enough saliva. Your salivary glands are not working the way they should. This can make your mouth feel sticky and dry.
Top Causes of Dry Mouth
1. Medicines
Many pills can make your mouth dry. In fact, more than 500 drugs can cause dry mouth! About 30% of older adults get dry mouth from their medicine.
- Antidepressants (pills for sad feelings)
- Antihistamines (pills for sneezing)
- Blood pressure drugs
- Pain pills
If you take more than one of these, your mouth might get very dry.
2. Health Problems
Some diseases can make your mouth dry. Here are some:
| Disease | How Many People Get Dry Mouth |
|---|---|
| Sjögren's Syndrome | 90% of people with this get dry mouth |
| Diabetes | People with diabetes are 2 times more likely to get dry mouth |
| HIV/AIDS | 30% of people with this get dry mouth |
Other health problems that can make your mouth dry are:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Parkinson's
- Alzheimer's
3. Cancer Treatment
Radiation for head or neck cancer can hurt your salivary glands. About 60% of people who get this treatment get dry mouth. For 40% of them, the damage can't be fixed.
4. Stress and Worry
Being stressed can make your mouth dry. About 25% of people with long-term stress say they have dry mouth. This might be because:
- You breathe through your mouth when stressed
- Stress changes how your body works
5. Smoking and Vaping
If you smoke, you are 3 times more likely to get dry mouth than people who don't smoke. Vaping with nicotine can also make your mouth dry.
6. Not Drinking Enough Water
If you don't drink enough water, you can get dehydrated. About 77% of people who don't drink enough water say they have dry mouth.
7. Breathing Through Your Mouth
If you breathe through your mouth when you sleep, your mouth can get dry. This might happen if:
- Your nose is stuffed up
- You snore
- You have sleep apnea (trouble breathing when you sleep)
8. Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol can make you pee more, which can make you dehydrated. This can make your mouth dry.
9. Drinking Caffeine
Coffee, tea, and soda with caffeine can make your mouth dry.
10. Getting Older
Getting older doesn't directly cause dry mouth. But older people often:
- Take more medicines
- Have more health problems
About 58% of older adults take 5 or more medicines, which can lead to dry mouth.
11. Surgery
Some operations can hurt the nerves that tell your mouth to make spit. This can lead to dry mouth.
12. Autoimmune Disorders
With these problems, your body fights itself. Sjögren's syndrome is the main one that causes dry mouth. It affects about 0.5-1% of people, mostly women.
13. Hot Weather
Being in hot places can make you sweat and lose water. This can lead to dry mouth if you don't drink enough.
14. Hormones
During menopause, hormone changes can make your mouth dry.
15. Infections
Some infections in your mouth can make it dry:
- Thrush (a yeast infection)
- Hepatitis C
16. Nerve Damage
Damage to the nerves in your face can stop your salivary glands from working right.
Problems Dry Mouth Can Cause
If your mouth stays dry for a long time, you might get:
- More cavities
- Gum disease
- Bad breath
- Trouble talking
- Trouble eating
- Infections in your mouth
How to Fix Dry Mouth
Things You Can Do Right Now
- Drink more water - Sip water all day
- Chew sugar-free gum - This helps your mouth make more spit
- Suck on sugar-free candy - This can help make more spit
- Use a room humidifier - This adds water to the air
- Breathe through your nose - Try not to breathe through your mouth
Products That Can Help
Our dental equipment store has many things that can help with dry mouth:
- Artificial saliva - This is like fake spit that keeps your mouth wet
- Special mouth rinses - These help keep your mouth wet
- Special toothpaste - This is made for people with dry mouth
At ISTAR Dental Supply, we have many tools dentists use to help with dry mouth.
Things Your Doctor Can Do
If your dry mouth is very bad, your doctor might:
- Change your medicines
- Give you prescription drugs like pilocarpine or cevimeline that help make more spit
- Check for health problems that might be causing the dry mouth
Your dental care provider might also use special tools to check your salivary glands.
When to See a Doctor
Go to the doctor if:
- Your mouth has been dry for more than two weeks
- You have trouble swallowing
- Your gums bleed a lot
- You have white patches in your mouth (could be an infection)
- You think a medicine is making your mouth dry
Real Stories from People with Dry Mouth
Maria's Story
Maria got radiation for throat cancer. After, her mouth was very dry. Her doctor gave her artificial saliva and told her to use a special dental rinse. This helped her feel better.
John's Story
John took pills for his high blood pressure and got dry mouth. His doctor changed his pills, and he started to feel better. He also used a humidifier at night.
Tips to Prevent Dry Mouth
- Drink lots of water
- Don't use tobacco
- Cut back on alcohol and caffeine
- Use a humidifier at night
- Breathe through your nose
- Get your teeth cleaned often
Questions People Ask
Can dry mouth cause cavities?
Yes. When you don't have enough spit, bacteria can grow more in your mouth. This can cause cavities. Use fluoride toothpaste to help.
Does getting old cause dry mouth?
No. Getting old doesn't directly cause dry mouth. But older people often take more medicines and have more health problems that can cause dry mouth.
Can vaping cause dry mouth?
Yes. Vaping has chemicals that can make your mouth dry. Nicotine also reduces how much spit your mouth makes.
How much water should I drink?
Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Drink more if it's hot or if you exercise.
Can stress cause dry mouth?
Yes. Being stressed can make your mouth dry. Try to relax with deep breathing or other ways to feel calm.
How to Care for Your Teeth If You Have Dry Mouth
If you have dry mouth, it's very important to take good care of your teeth:
- Brush your teeth after each meal
- Floss every day
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- See your dentist often
- Don't eat a lot of sugar
Your dentist might give you a special fluoride treatment to help protect your teeth.
Foods and Drinks That Help with Dry Mouth
Some foods can help if you have dry mouth:
- Watermelon and other juicy fruits
- Cucumber slices
- Sugar-free popsicles
- Broth soups
- Herbal tea (not too hot)
Foods and Drinks to Avoid
Some foods can make dry mouth worse:
- Spicy foods
- Salty foods
- Sugar
- Alcohol
- Caffeine (coffee, tea, soda)
- Acidic foods like lemons and oranges
Conclusion
Dry mouth (xerostomia) can happen for many reasons. It could be from medicines, health problems, or lifestyle choices. If your mouth is dry, try drinking more water, chewing sugar-free gum, and seeing your doctor. With the right care, you can feel better.
Remember, taking care of dry mouth is important for your teeth and your comfort. Talk to your doctor or dentist if your mouth stays dry for a long time.
For dental products that can help with dry mouth, visit ISTAR Dental Supply.
