Chronic dry mouth can result from a number of causes, ranging from medications to medical conditions that affect the salivary glands. Depending on the cause, you might be able to reverse the problem completely. If not, several treatments and self-care measures can address this problem.

Medications

Medications are the most common cause of dry mouth, according to the Mayo Clinic. The most common offenders include drugs for depression, anxiety, urinary incontinence, high blood pressure, diarrhea, congestion and Parkinson's disease. Changing your prescription or adjusting your dosage often alleviates the problem. This list is far from exhaustive, as hundreds of medications can cause dry mouth, so talk to your doctor if you suspect your medication.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can impact saliva production. They include Sjogren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke and mumps, according to Medicinenet.com.

Other Conditions

Other conditions can also contribute to dry mouth, including anxiety, depression, stress and nutritional deficiencies.

Cancer Treatments

Chemotherapy alters saliva production while radiation to the head and neck can damage salivary glands, according to the University of Illinois.

Other Possible Causes

Other possible causes include nerve damage, smoking, dehydration resulting from excessive sweating, vomiting, fever or diarrhea, snoring, and always breathing with your mouth open.

Source:

MedicineNet

The Mayo Clinic

University of Ilinois