Home Remedies and Herbs for Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is a condition where your saliva glands don’t produce enough saliva to moisten your mouth.¹ It may not sound like a serious medical condition at first, but saliva is important for reducing bacteria in the mouth, preventing tooth decay, and aiding in digestion.¹ Dry mouth can lead to issues in eating and speaking and can even cause sores and infection.^2,3 Dry mouth can start as a simple annoyance but can eventually lead to dental health issues depending on the cause.

What Causes Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth is a common occurrence, but in some cases, it can become a constant nuisance that interferes with a person’s health and quality of life. You might be familiar with the feeling of dry mouth if you slept with your mouth open or are ill. However, other dry mouth causes can lead to more long-term issues in dental health. These common dry mouth causes include:^2,3,4

• Medications - Dry mouth may occur as a side effect of various medications such as high blood pressure medications, antihistamines, and antidepressants.
• Drug Use - A variety of drugs can increase dry mouth symptoms. These may include legal drugs such as tobacco and alcohol or illegal drugs like methamphetamine or marijuana.
• Cancer Treatment - Various cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can impact saliva production on a temporary or permanent basis.
• Nerve Damage - Some types of nerve damage, such as in the head or neck, can affect the salivary glands and decrease saliva production.
• Other Medical Issues - Dry mouth may be a sign of an underlying condition. Common medical causes include diabetes, stroke, HIV/AIDS, Sjogren’s syndrome, and salivary gland diseases.

Dry Mouth Symptoms

Dry mouth is characterized by a feeling of not having enough saliva in your mouth. Dry mouth symptoms also include:^3,4

• Dry, sticky mouth or tongue
• Difficulty chewing or speaking
• Sore throat
• Bad breath
• Change in sense of taste
• Difficulty wearing dentures

In minor cases, dry mouth can be treated by sipping on water, chewing gum, or sucking on hard candy.⁴ More serious conditions may require medications to treat dry mouth symptoms.⁵ A variety of dry mouth herbal remedies can also help fight discomfort. Individuals who experience frequent dry mouth should avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine.⁴ If dry mouth persists, talk to your doctor about your symptoms as it may be a sign of a serious underlying condition.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/home/ovc-20318136
2. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/DryMouth/DryMouth.htm
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/symptoms-causes/dxc-20318157
4. https://medlineplus.gov/drymouth.html
5. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/stx2048