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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffDry mouth has numerous causes, including:
- Medications. Hundreds of medications, including some over-the-counter drugs, produce dry mouth as a side effect. Among the more likely types to cause problems are some of the drugs used to treat depression and anxiety, antihistamines, decongestants, high blood pressure medications, anti-diarrheals, muscle relaxants, drugs for urinary incontinence, and Parkinson's disease medications.
- Aging. Getting older isn't a risk factor for dry mouth on its own; however, older people are more likely to be taking medications that may cause dry mouth. Also, older people are more likely to have other health conditions that may cause dry mouth.
- Cancer therapy. Chemotherapy drugs can change the nature of saliva and the amount produced. Radiation treatments to your head and neck can damage salivary glands, causing a marked decrease in saliva production.
- Nerve damage. An injury or surgery that causes nerve damage to your head and neck area also can result in xerostomia.
- Other health conditions. Dry mouth can be a consequence of certain health conditions — or their treatments — including the autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS, anxiety disorders and depression. Stroke and Alzheimer's disease may cause a perception of dry mouth, even though the salivary glands are functioning normally. Snoring and breathing with your mouth open also can contribute to the problem.
- Tobacco use. Smoking or chewing tobacco can increase dry mouth symptoms.
References
- Dry mouth. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/DryMouth/DryMouth.htm. Accessed March 2, 2009.
- Xerostomia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch089/ch089h.html?qt=dry%20mouth&alt=sh. Accessed March 2, 2009.
- Guggenheimer J, et al. Xerostomia: Etiology, recognition and treatment. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2003;134:61.
- Turner MD, et al. Dry mouth and its effects on the oral health of elderly people. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2007;138(suppl):15S.
- Eveson JW. Xerostomia. Periodontology 2000. 2008;48:85.
- Metz JM, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine. In: Abeloff MD, et al. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingston Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/123562883-3/811434297/1709/40.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06694-8..50039-7--cesec15_994. Accessed March 2, 2009.
- Carr AB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. March 4, 2009.
