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Causes and Treatment of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a common condition in which a person feels there is not enough saliva in the mouth. The scientific name for dry mouth is Xerostomia. The prevalence of dry mouth increases with age.

  1. Medication

    • More than 1,800 drugs can cause dry mouth, but those used for depression, allergies, anxiety, high blood pressure and Parkinson's disease are among the main offenders, according to drymouth.info.

    Diseases

    • Some medical conditions can cause dry mouth. Among them are Sjogren's syndrome, dehydration, AIDS and diabetes.

    Decreased Ability

    • Chewing exercises the muscles in the mouth. When a person chews less, the muscles and salivary glands will shrink and produce less saliva. This causes dry mouth.

    Therapeutic Irradiation

    • Radiation for cancer of the head and neck can damage salivary glands. This radiation can sometimes permanently inhibit or stop saliva production.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for dry mouth includes sipping water and sugar-free juices, chewing sugar-free gum, and sucking cherries, olive pits, or the rind of lemons or limes. The drugs Salagen and Evoxac are used to relieve the feeling of a dry mouth.

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