Causes of Dry Mouth

We need saliva to clean our mouths and digest food. It’s also important because it prevents infections by reducing fungi and bacteria in the mouth. Moreover, it maintains good dental health by protecting our gums against diseases and tooth decay.

If you're not making enough saliva, your mouth can become dry, causing you discomfort. It also causes other symptoms such as cracked lips, bad breath, and dry throat. On its own, a dry mouth isn’t necessarily a serious problem. However, it can be a symptom of a serious medical problem.

Here are some factors that cause dry mouth.

Medication and Diseases

OTC pills and prescription medicines can cause dry mouth. These include hypertensive medicines, decongestants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, anti-depressants, sedatives, and medicine taken for Parkinson's diseases.

Moreover, medical conditions such as diabetes, anemia, hypertension, or HIV/Aids will increase the chances of having a dry mouth. People who experience injuries such as nerve damage to the neck and head area from surgery or other causes report experiencing dry mouth.

People with salivary duct obstructions also report experiencing dry mouth as tiny stones made from saliva minerals place themselves in salivary ducts and restrict saliva flow.

An Unhealthy Lifestyle

An unhealthy lifestyle can contribute to dry mouth. For instance, research shows that chewing tobacco or smoking can cause dry mouth.

Breathing with an open mouth and dehydration can also exacerbate the problem.

Exercising or playing in the heat for a long time can cause salivary glands to become dry because the bodily fluids are concentrated somewhere else in the body.

Medical Treatment

Cancer treatment such as radiotherapy, especially given to the head and neck, can cause damage to the salivary glands—resulting in decreased saliva production.

Moreover, other cancer treatments like chemotherapy can reduce the body’s capability of producing saliva.

Other Causes

Shortness of breath caused by panic attacks and anxiety can result in dry mouth.

Moreover, pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers will also experience dry mouths because of hormonal changes and dehydration. Sleep apnea is also often accompanied by dry mouth.

Last Thoughts

If you’re experiencing dry mouth, you should visit your dentist. If you’re in Frisco, you can connect with one of the best dental services in the area. From wisdom teeth removal to teeth cleaning, we offer it all. Contact us to make an appointment, and we'll get right back to you.