Dry mouth (xerostomia)

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is the feeling that your mouth does not have enough saliva. You may notice a sticky mouth, dry throat, cracked lips, or trouble chewing and swallowing dry foods. Ongoing dry mouth can also raise your risk of cavities, mouth sores, and oral infections.

Dry mouth often comes from medications, dehydration, or breathing through your mouth. It can also occur with Sjogren's syndrome, diabetes, or radiation treatment to the head and neck. A clinician can review possible causes. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own because you think it causes dryness.

Dry mouth evaluation starts with your symptoms, health history, and medication list. An online visit can begin that review, but you may need an in-person mouth exam or testing. A licensed physician or dentist in your state decides whether treatment is appropriate and whether you need further care.

Frequent sips of water, sugar-free gum, and saliva substitutes may ease dry mouth. Results vary. Avoid tobacco, limit alcohol, and choose an alcohol-free mouth rinse. These steps do not replace dental care or a review of the cause, especially if dryness lasts or makes eating and swallowing difficult.

Saliva substitutes coat and moisten the mouth rather than make your glands produce more saliva. They come as sprays, gels, rinses, and other products. They may offer short-term comfort, but results vary. Follow the label, and ask your dentist which options fit your symptoms and dental needs best.

Pilocarpine is a prescription medicine that stimulates glands to make more saliva. It is used for certain cases of dry mouth, including those linked to Sjogren's syndrome or head and neck radiation. Results vary. A licensed physician or dentist in your state decides whether it fits your needs.

Pilocarpine can cause sweating, nausea, diarrhea, frequent urination, and dizziness. It can also affect vision, breathing, and heart rate. It is not appropriate for everyone, including people with uncontrolled asthma. Share your full health and medication history before treatment, and seek urgent care for breathing trouble or fainting.

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and keep regular dental visits when you have dry mouth. Low saliva raises cavity risk. Your dentist may recommend extra fluoride or closer follow-up based on your needs. Avoid frequent sugary snacks and acidic drinks throughout the day.

The timing and length of dry mouth treatment depend on its cause and the treatment used. Moisturizing products may give brief relief, while a prescription plan may need follow-up over several weeks. Results vary. Some people need ongoing care, especially when dryness comes from lasting gland damage or disease.

Get emergency help if dry mouth occurs with trouble breathing, rapidly worsening mouth or neck swelling, or an inability to swallow saliva. Seek prompt care if you cannot drink enough, feel faint, or have fever with painful gland swelling. Persistent dryness, sores, or white patches also need medical or dental review.