Dry Mouth: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment — What You Need to Know
Updated: 1 hour ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: September 2026
Quick answer
Dry mouth (xerostomia) happens when your salivary glands don't make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. It is most often caused by medicines, aging, or cancer therapy. Symptoms include a dry or sticky mouth, thick saliva, bad breath, and trouble chewing, speaking, and swallowing. Untreated, it can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, mouth sores, and thrush. Treatment depends on the cause: it can include changing medicines, saliva substitutes, prescription drugs such as pilocarpine or cevimeline, and daily home care like sipping water and chewing sugar-free gum.
TL;DR
Dry mouth is a common but often overlooked condition where the mouth's salivary glands underproduce saliva. It is usually caused by medicines (including many over-the-counter drugs), aging, or radiation therapy to the head and neck. The most reliable way to deal with it is to find and address the underlying cause, which may mean adjusting a medicine, treating a health condition, or changing habits like mouth breathing. Daily habits such as sipping water, using xylitol gum, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and brushing with fluoride toothpaste can ease symptoms and protect teeth. Most people recover well, but persistent symptoms warrant a visit to a healthcare professional because complications include tooth decay, gum disease, and mouth infections.
Limitation statement: The facts in this article come from expert-reviewed clinical overviews dated Dec. 19, 2023. These sources do not provide prevalence rates, success-rate statistics, or clinical trial data, and none are presented here. Treatment outcomes vary by cause and individual.
When to see a doctor: act on persistent symptoms
If your dry mouth symptoms don't go away, make an appointment with a healthcare professional. Persistent dry mouth is more than a comfort issue. Without enough saliva, the risk of plaque buildup, tooth decay, gum disease, mouth sores, cracked lips, and mouth infections rises. It can also affect how much you eat and how much you enjoy food.
A note on severity: Seek care promptly rather than waiting it out if you notice mouth sores, cracked skin at the corners of your mouth, signs of a mouth infection (such as thrush), or increasing trouble chewing and swallowing. These are documented complications of ongoing dry mouth.
What is dry mouth (xerostomia)?
Dry mouth, also called xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), is when the salivary glands in the mouth don't make enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. The mouth has three pairs of major salivary glands: the parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands. Each gland has its own tube, called a duct, leading from the gland to the mouth. Problems affecting these glands can also include growths; see our guide to salivary gland tumors.
Dry mouth often is due to aging, the side effects of certain medicines, or radiation therapy for cancer. Less often, a condition directly affecting the salivary glands is the cause. You can also experience dry mouth temporarily if you are thirsty or anxious.
For some people, dry mouth is only annoying. For others, it can greatly affect general health and the health of teeth and gums. It can also affect how much people eat and how much they enjoy eating. Treatment for dry mouth depends on the cause. For a broader overview with home remedies, see our article Dry Mouth Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and Home Remedies That Work.
Question | Answer |
What is dry mouth? | Salivary glands not making enough saliva to keep the mouth wet (xerostomia) |
What does it feel like? | Dryness or stickiness, thick stringy saliva, bad breath, dry sore throat, grooved tongue |
What causes it most often? | Medicines, aging, radiation therapy for cancer |
Why does it matter? | Raises risk of tooth decay, gum disease, mouth sores, thrush, and poor nutrition |
How is it treated? | Depends on the cause: changing medicines, mouth moisturizers, saliva stimulants, home care |
What are the signs and symptoms of dry mouth?
If you're not producing enough saliva, you may notice these symptoms all or most of the time:
Dryness or a feeling of stickiness in your mouth
Saliva that seems thick and stringy
Bad breath
Having a hard time chewing, speaking, and swallowing
Dry or sore throat and hoarseness
Dry or grooved tongue
A changed sense of taste
Problems wearing dentures
Lipstick stuck to teeth
Why does dry mouth affect your teeth?
Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by washing away sugar and food particles and making bacteria neutral and less harmful. When you don't have enough saliva, you may find it harder to taste, chew, and swallow, and you also may have a hard time digesting food. This is why dry mouth is a dental health issue, not just a comfort issue. The same mechanisms that protect your teeth and gums stop working when saliva levels drop. Learn more in our guide to cavities and tooth decay.
Symptom category | Symptoms |
Mouth and tongue | Dry or sticky feeling; thick, stringy saliva; dry or grooved tongue; bad breath |
Function | Hard time chewing, speaking, swallowing; trouble digesting food; problems wearing dentures |
Throat and voice | Dry or sore throat; hoarseness |
Taste and appearance | Changed sense of taste; lipstick stuck to teeth |
What causes dry mouth?
Dry mouth happens when the salivary glands don't make enough saliva. These glands may fail to work properly for several reasons.
Can medicines cause dry mouth?
Yes, medicines are a leading cause. Hundreds of medicines, including many available without a prescription, can cause dry mouth. The medicines more likely to cause problems are those for depression, high blood pressure, and anxiety, plus some antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and pain relievers.
Does aging cause dry mouth?
Many older people develop dry mouth symptoms as they age. Contributing factors include changes in how the body processes medicine, poor nutrition, and long-term health problems.
How is cancer treatment connected to dry mouth?
Chemotherapy can change the nature of saliva and the amount produced. This may be limited in time, with typical salivary flow returning after treatment ends. Radiation treatments to the head and neck (see our guide to head and neck cancers) can damage salivary glands and greatly lower saliva production. This may be temporary or lasting, depending on the radiation dose and area treated.
What health conditions can cause dry mouth?
Cause category | Examples |
Nerve damage | Injury or surgery affecting the head and neck |
Other health conditions | Diabetes, stroke, a yeast infection in the mouth, Alzheimer's disease |
Autoimmune diseases | Sjogren syndrome, HIV/AIDS |
Breathing patterns | Snoring; breathing with the mouth open |
Substance use | Tobacco use, smoking, chewing tobacco; alcohol; methamphetamine (serious dry mouth plus tooth damage); marijuana |
Two of these conditions are covered in more depth in our guides to Sjögren's syndrome and stroke.
Who is most at risk for dry mouth?
Risk is higher in people who take medicines that list dry mouth as a possible side effect, or who are being treated for cancer. Nerve damage in the head and neck area also raises risk. So do other health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Sjogren syndrome, or HIV/AIDS. Behavioral factors matter too: using tobacco products, drinking alcohol, using street drugs, and eating sugary or acidic foods or candies all increase the risk of dry mouth.
What complications can dry mouth cause?
Not having enough saliva can lead to several problems:
Complication | How it develops |
Increased plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease | Without saliva to wash away food and neutralize bacteria |
Mouth sores | From chronic dryness and irritation |
Thrush (yeast infection in the mouth) | Dry environment favors yeast growth |
Sores at the corners of the mouth; cracked lips | Split skin from dryness (see our guide to angular cheilitis below) |
Poor nutrition | From problems with chewing and swallowing |
For more on cracked mouth corners, read our article on angular cheilitis.
"Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by washing away sugar and food particles and making bacteria neutral and less harmful. When you don't have enough saliva, you may find it harder to taste, chew and swallow. You also may have a hard time digesting food." (Expert-reviewed clinical overview, Dec. 19, 2023)
How is dry mouth diagnosed?
To determine the cause of your dry mouth, a healthcare professional reviews your medical history and the medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines. They also look in your mouth. Sometimes additional testing is needed:
Diagnostic step | Purpose |
Medical history and medicine review | Identifies medicines and conditions linked to dry mouth |
Mouth examination | Checks oral tissues, teeth, and signs of dryness |
Blood tests | Helps find the underlying cause |
Imaging scans of the salivary glands | Helps find the underlying cause |
Saliva production tests | Measures how much saliva you produce |
Biopsy (if Sjogren syndrome is suspected) | A small sample of cells taken from salivary glands in the lip is sent for testing |
How is dry mouth treated?
Your treatment depends on the cause of your dry mouth. A healthcare professional may take one or more of the following steps.
What if a medicine is causing it?
If a medicine is thought to be the cause, your dose may be changed, or you may switch to another medicine that doesn't cause dry mouth.
What products moisturize the mouth?
Healthcare professionals can recommend products to moisturize the mouth, including prescription medicines or over-the-counter mouth rinses, artificial saliva, or moisturizers to lubricate the mouth. Mouthwashes designed for dry mouth, especially ones with xylitol, can be effective. Read more in our article on artificial saliva for chronic dry mouth relief.
Are prescription drugs available?
Yes, in specific cases. If your mouth is extremely dry due to Sjogren syndrome or radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, a doctor may prescribe pilocarpine (Salagen) to help you make more saliva. Cevimeline (Evoxac) may be prescribed to help make saliva if you have Sjogren syndrome.
Treatment approach | When it applies | Examples |
Change the medicine | When a medicine is the suspected cause | Dose change or switch to a non-drying alternative |
Mouth moisturizers | General dry mouth | Prescription or OTC mouth rinses; artificial saliva; lubricating moisturizers; xylitol mouthwashes |
Prescription saliva stimulants | Extreme dryness from Sjogren syndrome or head/neck radiation | Pilocarpine (Salagen); cevimeline (Evoxac) |
What home remedies help dry mouth?
Alongside your healthcare professional's advice, several lifestyle steps may ease symptoms.
How do you keep the mouth moist?
Sip water or sugar-free drinks, or suck on ice chips throughout the day. Drink water during meals to make chewing and swallowing easier.
Does gum or candy help?
Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies helps. Products containing xylitol also may help prevent cavities. One caution: xylitol, commonly found in sugar-free gum and candies, may cause gas or diarrhea in some people who consume it in large amounts.
What about saliva substitutes?
Over-the-counter saliva substitutes containing xylitol, such as Mouth Kote or Oasis Moisturizing Mouth Spray, are available. You can also try substitutes containing carboxymethylcellulose or hydroxyethyl cellulose, such as Biotene Dry Mouth Oralbalance Gel. (Brand names are source-provided examples, not endorsements.)
What daily habits reduce dry mouth?
Breathing through the nose rather than the mouth matters. You may need treatment for snoring if it causes mouth breathing at night. Use a room humidifier to add moisture to the air at night, and moisturize your lips to soothe dry or cracked areas.
What should you avoid with dry mouth?
Certain products can make symptoms worse. The sources recommend staying away from:
Avoid | Why |
Caffeine and alcohol | Cause dryness and irritation; skip mouthwash containing alcohol |
Tobacco | Smoking or chewing tobacco dries and irritates the mouth |
Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants | Can worsen dry mouth |
Sugary or acidic foods and candies | Raise the risk of tooth decay |
Spicy or salty foods | Can cause irritation |
How do you protect your teeth with dry mouth?
Because saliva is important to the health of your teeth and mouth, protecting your teeth may also help your dry mouth. Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss. Ask your dentist whether you might benefit from prescription fluoride toothpaste, a toothpaste containing betaine, or a tooth gel to neutralize bacteria acids.
To prevent cavities, your dentist might fit you for fluoride trays, filled with fluoride and worn over the teeth at night. A dentist may also recommend brushing on fluoride gel before bedtime or using a chlorhexidine rinse weekly. See your dentist at least twice yearly. Exams and plaque removal help prevent tooth decay.
How should you prepare for a dry mouth appointment?
Before your appointment, make a list of any symptoms you have (including ones that don't seem related), key personal information such as major stresses or recent life changes, all prescribed medicines plus vitamins, herbs, supplements, and over-the-counter medicines with doses, and questions for your healthcare professional.
Useful questions to ask include what is likely causing your dry mouth, whether the condition is temporary or long-lasting, the best course of action, and whether it could relate to your other health conditions. Expect your healthcare professional to ask when symptoms started, whether they occur all the time or only sometimes, whether you started new medicines recently, your tobacco and alcohol habits, and what makes symptoms better or worse.
Conclusion
Dry mouth is a manageable condition once its cause is identified. Whether it stems from medicines, aging, or cancer therapy, treatment exists at every level, from simple habit changes like sipping water and chewing sugar-free gum, to prescription saliva stimulants for severe cases. The stakes are real: saliva protects your teeth, gums, and ability to eat comfortably, and prolonged dryness raises the risk of decay, infection, and poor nutrition.
Your next step: If your dry mouth symptoms don't go away, make an appointment with a healthcare professional. In the meantime, start with the daily habits above: sip water throughout the day, chew sugar-free xylitol gum, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and protect your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.
Frequently asked questions
What is dry mouth called in medical terms? Dry mouth is called xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), which is when the salivary glands don't make enough saliva to keep the mouth wet.
What does dry mouth feel like? Typical sensations include dryness or stickiness in the mouth, thick stringy saliva, bad breath, a dry or sore throat, and a dry or grooved tongue.
Is dry mouth a side effect of medicine? Yes. Hundreds of medicines, including many over-the-counter drugs, can cause dry mouth. Those for depression, high blood pressure, and anxiety, plus some antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and pain relievers, are among the more likely culprits.
Can dry mouth be permanent? It can be, depending on the cause. Chemotherapy-related dry mouth is often temporary, but radiation to the head and neck may cause lasting reduction in saliva production depending on the dose and area treated.
Does Sjogren syndrome cause dry mouth? Yes. Sjogren syndrome is an autoimmune disease associated with dry mouth, and if it is suspected, a biopsy of salivary gland cells from the lip may be performed.
What are the most serious complications of dry mouth? Untreated dry mouth can lead to increased plaque, tooth decay, gum disease, mouth sores, thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth), cracked lips, and poor nutrition from chewing and swallowing problems.
Is dry mouth the same as being thirsty? Not exactly. Thirst or anxiety can cause temporary dry mouth, but chronic xerostomia means the salivary glands consistently underproduce saliva.
Can anxiety cause dry mouth? Yes, anxiety can cause temporary dry mouth.
Does chewing gum help dry mouth? Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies helps keep the mouth moist, and xylitol-containing products may also help prevent cavities.
Is xylitol safe for everyone? Most people tolerate it well, but xylitol may cause gas or diarrhea in some people who consume it in large amounts.
What mouthwash should you avoid with dry mouth? Avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol, along with caffeine and alcohol in general, since they cause dryness and irritation.
What prescription medicines treat dry mouth? Pilocarpine (Salagen) may be prescribed for extreme dry mouth from Sjogren syndrome or head and neck radiation treatment; cevimeline (Evoxac) may be prescribed for Sjogren syndrome.
Should you stop taking a medicine that causes dry mouth? Don't stop on your own. A healthcare professional may change the dose or switch you to a medicine that doesn't cause dry mouth.
Does dry mouth affect digestion? Yes. Saliva is needed to start digesting food, so insufficient saliva can make it harder to digest food as well as taste, chew, and swallow.
Why do older adults get dry mouth? Aging itself plus changes in how the body processes medicine, poor nutrition, and long-term health problems all contribute.
Can mouth breathing cause dry mouth? Yes. Snoring and breathing with the mouth open can lead to dry mouth; treating snoring and breathing through the nose helps.
Do recreational drugs cause dry mouth? Yes. Methamphetamine use can cause serious dry mouth and tooth damage, and marijuana use also can cause dry mouth.
How often should you see a dentist with dry mouth? At least twice yearly for exams and plaque removal to help prevent tooth decay.
What should you bring to a dry mouth doctor's appointment? A list of all symptoms, key personal information including stresses or life changes, and all medicines, vitamins, herbs, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs with doses.
When should you see a doctor about dry mouth? If dry mouth symptoms don't go away, make an appointment with a healthcare professional.
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Medical disclaimer: This article is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your individual health situation.
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