What is the Cause of Dry Mouth?

The cause of dry mouth can be one of several things. Dry mouth feels like you are thirsty but it does not go away after drinking a glass of water. The causes of dry mouth often come from secondary factors, such as the medications you take may cause it. It is important to have this condition treated especially if it becomes severe.

What It Feels Like

Dry mouth occurs when there is not enough saliva in the mouth. The body as a way to keep the mouth wet and to help cleanse the mouth after food is consumed normally produces saliva. It also helps to control the amount and type of bacteria in your mouth, to ensure that you do not get sick. There are times when the mouth fails to produce enough saliva and that is what causes dry mouth.

Causes

Dry mouth causes range widely. Some medications can lead to a dry mouth feeling, including medications taken for colds, acne, hypertension and asthma. If medications are the cause, doctors may be able to prescribe different doses or other types of medication that do not have this effect.
Another reason you may experience dry mouth is that you have one of several types of diseases. HIV/AIDs, diabetes, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis and cystic fibrosis are some of the most common diseases that have a symptom of dry mouth, but there are others.

Other causes for dry mouth include:

• Dehydration: you are not drinking enough fluid throughout the day. In this case, the dry mouth is easily prevented by consuming more fluid.
• Nerve damage: Damage that occurs to the nerves in the neck and head region, such as from a car accident or a surgical procedure, can also lead to dry mouth.
• Removal of the salivary glands: If you have had your salivary glands removed, this leads to dry mouth since these glands are what produce saliva.
• Medical treatments: Medical treatments such as those for cancer can lead to dry mouth symptoms in some people.

If dry mouth occurs frequently, consult your doctor about the symptoms. Discuss with your doctor the potential reasons behind your condition. In many cases, a solution to the dry mouth is available, especially once the doctor better understands what the causes of dry mouth are for your situation. It is particularly important to discuss your condition with your doctor if the condition persists or becomes severe. A solution can be found and you can see marked improvement in the way you feel. Learn more about what causes dry mouth, too.