Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Last updated 06/25
Dr Monika

This blog has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Monika Negi, a qualified Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist with 5+ years of experience.

Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
  1. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, happens when your body doesn’t produce enough saliva—leaving your mouth dry and uncomfortable—and your teeth and gums more vulnerable to oral health problems.
  2. Dry mouth can be caused by stress, anxiety, medications, aging, snoring, mouth breathing, certain health conditions, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or nerve damage.
  3. Symptoms of dry mouth include a prolonged dry, sticky feeling in your mouth along with difficulty chewing and swallowing, discomfort when speaking, dry lips and throat, and mouth sores that don’t go away.
  4. To temporarily relieve dry mouth symptoms, use a special oral rinse, chew sugarless gum, suck on ice cubes, avoid smoking and chewing tobacco, and limit alcohol. Talk to your doctor about treating the underlying condition.