Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs when your salivary glands don't produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. This reduced saliva production can stem from various factors.
Main Cause: Insufficient Saliva Production
The primary reason for dry mouth is simply a lack of saliva. The salivary glands, responsible for producing saliva, may not be functioning optimally. This can be due to several reasons, including medication use.
Contributing Factors:
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Medications: A significant number of medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can list dry mouth as a side effect. This includes hundreds of commonly used drugs. [Source: 19-Dec-2023]
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Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can also impair the function of salivary glands, leading to dry mouth. These conditions can range widely and would require a medical diagnosis.
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Other Factors: Besides medications and medical conditions, other potential causes include dehydration, smoking, alcohol consumption, aging, radiation therapy to the head and neck, and certain autoimmune diseases.
Understanding the Problem: Why is Saliva Important?
Saliva is crucial for maintaining oral health. It helps lubricate the mouth, making chewing and swallowing easier. Furthermore, saliva assists in digestion and protects against tooth decay by neutralizing acids and washing away food particles.
