Dry Mouth Causes

Saliva is the clear liquid consisting of water, mucus, and enzymes that is produced into the mouth by the salivary glands. It plays a vital role in food digestion and is important in speech, taste, chewing and swallowing. Saliva is also a key component to oral health as it moistens the mouth, stabilizes the level of acid in the mouth and provides protection to gum and teeth. If your mouth is producing little amount of saliva, then you are experiencing Xerostomia or dry mouth.

There are several reasons why saliva depletes. Naturally, the mouth produces less saliva as a person ages and it starts at mid twenties. But this is not the only cause. Smoking and drinking adult beverages containing alcohol like vodka, gin, whiskey and the likes plus alcohol surprisingly found on mouthwash also contributes to mouth desiccation. You must note that alcohol is the most common drying agent.

Lack of saliva may also be a side effect of prescription drugs to treat depression, anxiety, epilepsy, hypertension, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence and Parkinson's disease and of non-prescription drugs like antihistamines and decongestants. Certain diseases and infections like HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Sjögren's syndrome, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, stroke, and mumps also slow down secretion of saliva.

Furthermore, medical treatments like chemotherapy for cancer and radiations to the neck and head damages the salivary glands resulting to a reduced amount of saliva produced.

Adding to those mentioned above, physical body conditions leading up to dehydration can actually cause dryness to your mouth. These include but are not limited to vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, excessive sweating, high fever and burns.

Dry condition of your mouth may not be a life threatening condition but it gives a feeling of discomfort and uneasiness enough to take the pleasures from your life and may hinder you from showing affection to the love of your life. More information about dry mouth is provided in the e-book Bad Breath Bible, written by Dr. Harold Katz.



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