Dry Mouth: Causes, Risks, and What You Can Do About It
When your mouth feels like sandpaper, you're dealing with dry mouth, a condition where your salivary glands don't produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. Also known as xerostomia, it's not just an annoyance—it's a warning sign that something in your body is off.
Many people ignore dry mouth because they think it's just from drinking too little water. But it’s often tied to medication side effects, especially from drugs used for high blood pressure, depression, allergies, and diabetes. Over 400 common prescriptions list dry mouth as a side effect. Even over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants can do it. And if you’re taking multiple meds, the effect adds up. It’s not just about thirst—it’s about your body’s ability to protect your teeth, digest food, and fight off infections in your mouth.
When saliva drops, your risk for cavities, gum disease, and mouth sores spikes. Saliva washes away food particles, neutralizes acids, and has natural antibacterial properties. Without it, bacteria take over fast. You might notice trouble swallowing, a sore throat, or even a change in how food tastes. Some people start avoiding certain foods because they’re too dry or too spicy. And if you’re sleeping with your mouth open, dry mouth can get worse overnight, leading to bad breath and a cracked tongue.
It’s also linked to dehydration, a simple but dangerous state where your body loses more fluid than it takes in. Heat, exercise, illness, or not drinking enough water can all trigger it. But here’s the catch: sometimes you can be dehydrated and not feel thirsty. That’s why dry mouth often shows up before you realize you’re low on fluids. It’s your body’s first alarm.
And it’s not just about water. Things like smoking, alcohol, caffeine, and breathing through your mouth can make dry mouth worse. Even some autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome target saliva glands directly. If your dry mouth started suddenly and won’t go away, it’s worth checking with a doctor—not just for your mouth, but for your overall health.
What you’ll find in the posts below are real, practical insights from people who’ve dealt with this. You’ll learn how common drugs like diuretics and SGLT2 inhibitors cause it, how hydration and simple habits can help, and why some treatments that seem obvious actually backfire. No fluff. Just what works—and what doesn’t—when your mouth feels like it’s been left in the sun all day.
