What causes Dry Mouth?

By Dr. William Walden

           

         There are many causes of dry mouth, but the most common cause is medications. Dry mouth is the main side effect of many prescription and nonprescription medications, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies and colds (antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy, hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma (certain bronchodilators), and Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth can also be a side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives. As well as many diseases themselves cause dry mouth, such as, Sjögren's syndrome, salivary gland diseases, sleep apnea, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mumps. Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia can also lead to dry mouth. 

       People that undergo any type of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the head or neck region will have dry mouth due to damage to the salivary glands. Nerve damage can also occur in the head and neck region from injury or surgery that can damage the function of salivary glands. Some individuals may even have to have their salivary glands surgically removed for different medical reasons. There are many lifestyle habits that can lead to dry mouth as well, such as, chewing tobacco, smoking, mouth breathing, being under a lot of stress or anxiety, and dehydration.

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