Dry mouth

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition
Symptoms
Causes

Tests and diagnosis
Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies

Definition

It takes two quick licks to seal an envelope. But, if you find that you're often reaching for tape because you don't have saliva to spare, you may have a condition called xerostomia (zeer-o-STO-me-uh) — the medical term for dry mouth.

Lack of saliva is a common problem that may seem little more than a nuisance, but a dry mouth can affect both your enjoyment of food and the health of your teeth. That's why it's important not to ignore a dry mouth.

Although the treatment depends on the cause, dry mouth is often a side effect of medication. Dry mouth may improve with an adjusted dosage or new prescription.

Symptoms