The salivary glands in the human mouth are responsible for the secretion of saliva, which is needed to maintain an optimum environment in the mouth. Dry mouth or xerostomia is therefore experienced when these salivary glands are hindered in their duty to produce adequate amounts of saliva.
The causes of dry mouth are:
- Medications which, such as antihistamines, which list dry mouth as a possible side-effect;
- Alcohol consumption;
- Smoking;
- Methamphetamine usage
- Ageing;
- Stress
- Cancer therapies;
- Dehydration;
- Frequent mouth breathing;
- Diabetes;
- Rheumatoid arthritis;
