WHAT CAUSES XEROSTOMIA?

Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth syndrome, is a condition in which there is not enough saliva naturally produced in your mouth. Saliva is very important to your oral health, as it cleans out the bacteria from your mouth that may cause infection and tooth decay. If you’re suffering from xerostomia in Belmont, visit a dentist near you for treatment options.

There are a few primary causes of xerostomia. Your salivary glands may just be functioning improperly due to a health condition, such as diabetes, HIV, nerve damage, or chronic snoring. Tobacco and methamphetamine use can also cause dry mouth syndrome. Certain medications can cause xerostomia, particularly medications used to treat cancer, ADD and ADHD, depression, nerve pain, anxiety, and allergies. Some muscle relaxants and pain medications also cause dry mouth.

Aging does not typically cause xerostomia, but as you age, you are more likely to take medications or suffer from health problems that do cause it. Stroke and Alzheimer’s disease don’t affect the salivary glands, but the mental effects of these diseases may lead sufferers to believe that their mouths are perpetually dry.