Dry mouth

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, also dry mouth syndrome,[1] is dryness in the mouth. It may be associated with a change in the composition of saliva, reduced salivary flow (also hyposalivation), or dehydration. Causes of hyposalivation include dental caries, oral candidiasis, damage to salivary glands, or certain other causes.[2] Certain drugs or medications may also cause dry mouth as a side effect.

Minor cases of dry mouth can be treated at home by hydration, re-balancing the minerals in the body, and avoiding acidic foods. More severe cases may need to be looked at by a doctor.

References[change | change source]

  1. "Patients with head and neck cancer cured by radiation therapy: a survey of the dry mouth syndrome in long-term survivors", Head Neck, 24 (8): 737–747, 2002, doi:10.1002/hed.10129, PMID 12203798, S2CID 21262893. {{citation}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help)
  2. Newsom-Davis, J (February 2004). "Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome". Revue neurologique. 160 (2): 177–80. doi:10.1016/S0035-3787(04)70888-7. PMID 15034474.