Dry mouth can occur when the salivary glands in the mouth don't produce enough saliva. This is often the result of dehydration, meaning there isn't enough fluid in the body to produce the saliva it needs. It's also common for your mouth to dry out if you feel anxious or nervous. Dry mouth can be caused by a medical condition called Sjögren's syndrome.
It is an autoimmune disorder in which white blood cells attack the body's tear and salivary glands. People with diabetes or HIV may also have dry mouth. Dry mouth is the feeling that there isn't enough saliva in your mouth. Everyone has a dry mouth from time to time if they are nervous, upset, or stressed.
However, if your mouth is dry all the time or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and cause serious health problems. Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is due to an inadequate flow of saliva. It's not a disease, but a symptom of a medical disorder or a side effect of certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain relievers, diuretics, and many others. Saliva is the mouth's main defense against tooth decay and maintains the health of the soft and hard tissues of the mouth.
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in the mouth don't produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Because saliva doesn't clean the mouth regularly to remove food particles and residues, people with dry mouths often have bad breath.
