It isn’t uncommon for people to have an occasional dry mouth. But, when your mouth seems to be dry very often you may have actually have a medical condition. This condition is simply referred to as dry mouth and can have many causes.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, medically known as xerostomia, is a condition where your mouth is chronically dry. One of the most common causes of this condition is actually prescribed medications. Many medications list dry mouth, sometimes called cotton mouth, as a side effect. Speaking with your doctor about adjusting the dosage of these medications may reduce or eliminate dry mouth.

Dry mouth can also result from a number of diseases or particular medical treatments you may undergo. If you are victim to dry mouth because of this or you find that your mouth just simply becomes dry and often there are few remedies and ways to reduce the discomfort.

Treatment for Dry Mouth

There are prescription medications that can help stimulate your salivary glands to produce more saliva. If you don’t want to take medication or feel that maybe your problem can be solved with less invasive ways there are alternatives. Drinking plenty of water and breathing through your nose when you can will help keep your mouth moist. Some people report that chewing sugar free gum also helps.

It is important to keep your mouth moist because a dry mouth is a vulnerable one. Saliva helps move food particles out of our teeth and gums, helps reduce bacterial growth, and also aids in digestion as saliva contains enzymes. Keeping your mouth as moist as possible and brushing regularly will help keep the bacteria at bay. Finding ways to keep your mouth moist is important for oral health. Failure to keep it moist may cause cavities, oral disease, or other unwanted effects.