A dry mouth simply means that the production of saliva within the mouth has decreased.  The decreased production of saliva can be caused by many reasons.  Several of the most common reasons for a dry mouth include:

v  Side effects of certain diseases

v  Side effects of certain medications

v  Side effects of certain medical treatments

v  Hormonal changes

v  Lifestyle

v  Nerve damage

v  Damaged salivary glands

v  Dehydration

It is not uncommon for everyone to suffer from a dry mouth at some point in their lifetime; however, when the dry mouth doesn’t go away then it is time to seek medical treatment.  Some symptoms of a dry mouth include:

v  Dry, sticky feeling within the mouth

v  Trouble swallowing, chewing, tasting, and/or speaking

v  Burning sensation on the tongue

v  Dry feeling in the throat

v  Cracked lips

v  Metallic taste in the mouth or reduced ability to taste

v  Mouth sores

v  Constant bad breath

v  Frequent thirst

v  Dry, red, and/or raw tongue

v  Hoarseness, dry nasal passages, and/or sore throat

Suffering from any of the listed symptoms for an extended period of time means it is time to seek medical treatment.

It is important to determine the causes of dry mouth, so that an appropriate treatment can be started.  If a prescribed medication is the cause for the dry mouth then it may be necessary for the doctor to prescribe a different medication or change the dosage.  Some doctors may even prescribe a medicine that is specifically designed to help the salivary glands work better.  In some cases the cause for the dry mouth is unknown; therefore, it is necessary to try other dry mouth remedies.  Some common remedies that have proven to increase the saliva production include:

v  Chewing sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candy

v  Drinking plenty of water in order to stay hydrated

v  Breathing through the nose

v  Using a room vaporizer to add moisture to the room, especially in the bedroom

v  Practicing good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and check-ups.