It's normal to occasionally have a dry mouth if you’re dehydrated or feeling nervous, but a persistently dry mouth can be a sign of an underlying problem.
It's normal to occasionally have a dry mouth if you’re dehydrated or feeling nervous, but a persistently dry mouth can be a sign of an underlying problem.
You should see your dentist or doctor if you have an unusually dry mouth (known as xerostomia) so they can try to determine the cause.
A dry mouth can occur when the salivary glands in your mouth don't produce enough saliva.
This is often the result of
, which means you don’t have enough fluid in your body to produce the saliva you need. It's also common for your mouth to become dry if you're feeling anxious or nervous.A dry mouth can sometimes be caused by an underlying problem or medical condition, such as:
If you see your dentist or doctor, let them know about any other symptoms you're experiencing and any treatments you’re having, as this will help them work out why your mouth is dry.
Saliva plays an important role in keeping your mouth healthy. If you have a dry mouth, you may experience a number of other problems too, such as:
It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene if you have a dry mouth to reduce the risk of dental problems. You should also see a dentist regularly, so they can identify and treat any problems early on.
If your doctor or dentist is able to determine what's causing your dry mouth, treating this may improve your symptoms.
For example, if medication is suspected as the cause of your dry mouth, your doctor may reduce your dose or suggest trying an alternative medication.
Some of the conditions mentioned above have specific treatments, such as nasal
for a blocked nose and insulin for diabetes.There are simple measures you can try to help keep your mouth moist. For example, it may help to:
If the measures above don’t help, your dentist, doctor or specialist may suggest using an artificial saliva substitute to keep your mouth moist. This may come in the form of a spray, gel or lozenge. Use it as often as you need to, including before and during meals.
If your dry mouth is caused by radiotherapy or Sjögren's syndrome, a medication called pilocarpine may be prescribed. This is taken as a tablet several times a day to help stimulate your salivary glands to produce more saliva.
However, pilocarpine isn't suitable for everyone, as it may cause side effects, such as sweating or headaches .
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.