Function

Dry mouth is caused when something interferes with the normal functioning of your saliva glands. This interference can either cause your body to stop producing saliva or change the composition of your saliva, which causes your mouth to dry out.

Medication Causes

A large number of medications are known to cause dry mouth. Some antihypertensives, analgesics, and tranquilizers may have this effect, as well as many other drugs. In addition, cancer treatments like chemotherapy can cause dry mouth.

Condition Causes

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the saliva and tear glands. This condition causes dry mouth. In addition, injury to the head or neck can damage your saliva glands or the nerves that control them, causing dry mouth.

Effects

Treating dry mouth is important, because, as well as problems with speech, dry mouth can cause serious dental problems. People with regular dry mouth experience greatly increased tooth decay.

Treatment

Dry mouth can be treated with a variety of over-the-counter products such as artificial saliva or dry mouth toothpaste. For serious or recurring conditions, you should speak to your doctor.

Warning

A large number of medications are known to cause dry mouth. Some antihypertensives, analgesics, and tranquilizers may have this effect, as well as many other drugs.

Source:

University of Illinois in Chicago: Xerostomia