Dry Mouth
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Try one of these related symptoms.
My mouth is dry
Thirsty due to dry mouth
Lips are dry
Dry tongue
My mouth feels excessively dry
No saliva
About the Symptom
Dry mouth is a condition where the salivary glands in the mouth don't produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Fever
- double vision
- Easy fatiguability
- Seizure attack
- Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
- Unexplained weight loss of 5% or more in 1 month
- Recent weight loss
- Numbness / sensory disorder
- Gross hematuria
Possible Causes
Generally, Dry mouth can be related to:
- Tetany
Tetany is a condition involving involuntary muscle contractions and overly stimulated peripheral nerves. It is caused by electrolyte imbalances, most often low blood calcium levels.
- Watery Diarrhea, Hypokalemia, and Achlorhydria (WDHA) Syndrome
WDHA syndrome, which stands for watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria, is a rare condition caused by an excess of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) secreted by certain tumors. VIP is both a neuromodulator and a neurotransmitter that dilates blood vessels, regulates smooth muscle activity, cell secretion, and blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Sheehan's Syndrome
It is also known as postpartum hypopituitarism. This condition occurs due to blood loss or low blood pressure during childbirth, leading to a lack of oxygen and damage to the part of the brain responsible for hormone production. This results in low levels of these hormones in the body.
- Diabetes Insipidus
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Angular Cheilitis
- Hypopituitarism
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Dry mouth may be related to these serious diseases:
- Hypernatremia
Hypernatremia refers to having too much sodium in the blood, which is essential for the body's proper functioning.
- Dehydration
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Are you experiencing a dry mouth?
- When did you first notice your dry mouth?
- How often do you have a dry mouth?
- How is your dry mouth now?
- How severe is your dry mouth?
Reviewed By:
Unnati Patel, MD, MSc (Family Medicine)
Dr.Patel serves as Center Medical Director and a Primary Care Physician at Oak Street Health in Arizona. She graduated from the Zhejiang University School of Medicine prior to working in clinical research focused on preventive medicine at the University of Illinois and the University of Nevada. Dr. Patel earned her MSc in Global Health from Georgetown University, during which she worked with the WHO in Sierra Leone and Save the Children in Washington, D.C. She went on to complete her Family Medicine residency in Chicago at Norwegian American Hospital before completing a fellowship in Leadership in Value-based Care in conjunction with the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, where she earned her MBA. Dr. Patel’s interests include health tech and teaching medical students and she currently serves as Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Arizona School of Medicine.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Jan 30, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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- Not enough saliva
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FAQs
Q.
The "Cotton Mouth" Secret: Is Your Sleep Keeping You Parched?
A.
Morning dry mouth is common and often tied to mouth breathing, dehydration, or medications, but it can also signal sleep apnea or conditions like diabetes or Sjögren’s, so there are several factors to consider; see the complete answer below. Hydration, improving nasal airflow, reviewing meds, and good oral care can help, yet persistent dryness, loud snoring or gasping, dry eyes with joint pain, frequent cavities, or extreme thirst should prompt a doctor visit; for next steps and key details that could affect your care, see below.
References:
* Viana VS, Soares MS, Valença AMG. Xerostomia and sleep disorders: a systematic review. Braz Oral Res. 2021 Jul 23;35:e062. doi: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2021.vol35.0062. PMID: 34293502.
* da Mata AN, de Sousa Santos I, Cordeiro JVMM, Ribeiro de Andrade E, Godoy GF, Pithon MM, Coutinho TCS. Dry mouth and obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review. Sleep Breath. 2023 Aug 24. doi: 10.1007/s11325-023-02901-w. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37620025.
* Takeda S, Ishikawa Y, Sakabe J, Kawai T, Nishino M, Sugimoto K, Kawana T, Hagiwara M, Ohta S, Ishiguro H, Maruyama S, Kono M, Morita E, Kurachi M, Aoyagi T, Shimamura Y, Nagao M, Arakawa M. Influence of sleep duration on salivary flow rate and composition. Oral Dis. 2015 Mar;21(2):236-41. doi: 10.1111/odi.12260. Epub 2014 May 23. PMID: 24855734.
* Kowalczyk D, Michalska A, Dłutek I, Michalski B. The impact of nocturnal sleep disturbances on the occurrence of xerostomia in older adults. Sci Rep. 2022 Nov 7;12(1):18898. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-23640-6. PMID: 36345917; PMCID: PMC9640324.
* Valença AMG, Soares MS, Viana VS. Circadian rhythm of salivary flow rate and composition in healthy individuals: a systematic review. Oral Dis. 2023 Mar;29(2):494-502. doi: 10.1111/odi.14488. Epub 2023 Jan 20. PMID: 36674996.
Q.
Waking Up with Dry Mouth? Causes and How to Fix It Tonight
A.
Waking up dry is most often from mouth breathing, dehydration, medications, allergies, or sleep apnea; quick fixes tonight include steady hydration, a bedside humidifier, clearing nasal congestion, sleeping on your side, using sugar-free gum in the evening, and reviewing meds with your clinician. If dryness is frequent, severe, or paired with dental problems, dry eyes, loud snoring, morning headaches, extreme thirst, or frequent urination, it could point to sleep apnea or diabetes and deserves medical attention. There are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below for causes, exact at-home steps, and clear red flags that can guide your next healthcare move.
References:
* Baharvand M, Baradaran Nakhjavani R, Akbari P. Xerostomia: A Clinical Review. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2020 Jul 1;21(7):826-832. PMID: 32677732.
* Villa A, Wolff A, Narayana N, Ahmadi I, Cabras M, Challacombe SJ, Ekström J, Kalk W, Niv G, Oberholzer M, Otsuka T, Patton L, Peach R, Plemons J, Porter S, Saccucci F, Sweeney MP, Toth A, Vissink A, Al-Hashimi I. Management of xerostomia: an update. Oral Dis. 2018 Sep;24(6):1048-1055. doi: 10.1111/odi.12871. Epub 2018 May 25. PMID: 29809971.
* Rathna K, Devaraj VR, Kumar R, Gupta P, Balaji P, Devaraj M. Xerostomia in the geriatric patient: current therapeutic options. J Conserv Dent. 2020 Sep-Oct;23(5):455-460. doi: 10.4103/JCD.JCD_406_20. Epub 2020 Oct 21. PMID: 33261273.
* Gupta A, Pal Singh S, Kaur G, Garg K. Nocturnal xerostomia and sleep quality. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2018 Mar 1;19(3):362-366. PMID: 29555121.
* Häggblom M, Hietala E, Bell JS, Guse CE, Kivelä S, Löppönen M, Mäntyselkä P. Polypharmacy and dry mouth: a systematic review of the literature. J Clin Gerontol Geriatr. 2013 Mar;4(1):1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jcgg.2012.11.002. PMID: 23624391.
Q.
Waking Up with a Bloody Throat? The Scary-Looking Symptom That’s Actually a Humidity Fix
A.
Morning blood in saliva or a bloody throat is most often from dry air, post-nasal drip, and mouth breathing irritating delicate tissues overnight, and it often improves with better bedroom humidity, hydration, and gentle nasal care. There are several factors to consider, and important red flags like increasing or frequent bleeding, trouble breathing, chest pain, or hoarseness lasting more than 2 to 3 weeks mean you should seek care; see the complete guidance below for step-by-step home fixes, humidity targets, and exactly when to call a doctor.
References:
* Myatt, T. A., & Myatt, N. A. (2018). The impact of relative humidity on respiratory health. *Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology*, *18*(4), 307-312.
* Pope, J., & Biggs, T. (2018). Epistaxis: diagnosis and management. *British Journal of Hospital Medicine*, *79*(7), C98-C102.
* Krawczyk-Młyńska, A., Młyński, R., Szkutnik, P., Kubik, P., Rzepakowski, M., & Kopeć, P. (2020). Impact of Indoor Environment on Upper Airway Function. *International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health*, *17*(23), 8820.
* Kim, J. P., & Park, D. K. (2018). Role of postnasal drip in laryngopharyngeal reflux. *Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology*, *11*(2), 65-71.
* Chow, L. A., & Chen, Y. S. (2014). Clinical and laboratory analysis of patients with chronic pharyngitis. *The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences*, *30*(11), 570-575.
Q.
How can I get affordable dentures on a fixed income?
A.
Affordable dentures on a fixed income are possible through Medicaid or state clinics where available, supervised dental school programs, nonprofit services, dentist payment plans or third party financing, dental discount plans, and by getting at least three quotes to compare and negotiate. There are several factors to consider. See below for cost ranges by denture type, eligibility steps, where to find low cost clinics and events, how to balance quality with price, maintenance tips that prevent extra charges, and warning signs that could change your next steps.
References:
Kwon YS, Yoon JY, Kwon SH, & Kim JB. (2019). The effect of income level on dental prosthesis use among the… J Prosthodontic Res, 30641623.
Kamath PS, & Wiesner RH. (2001). A model to predict survival in patients with end-stage liver disease. Hepatology, 11157951.
European Association for the Study of the Liver. (2018). EASL clinical practice guidelines for the management of… Journal of Hepatology, 29785047.
Q.
Life after 60: 5 biggest secrets about affordable dentures
A.
There are several factors to consider when finding truly affordable dentures after 60: choose the right type for long-term value, with research showing implant-supported options often offer better chewing and comfort, and reduce costs by using dental schools, community clinics, or vetted dental tourism while stacking insurance, discounts, and payment plans. Care and fit matter too, since daily cleaning and regular checkups can extend lifespan, and knowing when to upgrade or convert an existing denture to implant-retained can prevent repeated relines and soreness; full cost ranges, provider tips, red flags that need a dentist, and step-by-step next moves are detailed below.
References:
Emami E, Heydecke G, Rompré PH, & Feine JS. (2013). Impact of implant versus conventional dentures on oral-health-related… Clin Oral Implants Res, 24528648.
Wai CT, Greenson JK, Fontana RJ, et al. (2003). A simple noninvasive index can predict both significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in… Hepatology, 12506537.
Castera L, Forns X, & Alberti A. (2008). Non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis using transient elastography. J Hepatol, 18258265.
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https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Hu J, Andablo-Reyes E, Mighell A, Pavitt S, Sarkar A. Dry mouth diagnosis and saliva substitutes-A review from a textural perspective. J Texture Stud. 2021 Apr;52(2):141-156. doi: 10.1111/jtxs.12575. Epub 2020 Dec 15. PMID: 33274753.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jtxs.12575Arany S, Kopycka-Kedzierawski DT, Caprio TV, Watson GE. Anticholinergic medication: Related dry mouth and effects on the salivary glands. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2021 Dec;132(6):662-670. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2021.08.015. Epub 2021 Aug 29. PMID: 34593340; PMCID: PMC9112430.
https://www.oooojournal.net/article/S2212-4403(21)00591-5/fulltextTaubert M, Davies EM, Back I. Dry mouth. BMJ. 2007 Mar 10;334(7592):534. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39036.433542.68. PMID: 17347241; PMCID: PMC1819535.
https://www.bmj.com/content/334/7592/534Kawamoto M, Yamada SI, Gibo T, Kajihara R, Nagashio S, Tanaka H, Yajima J, Takizawa A, Kondo E, Sakai H, Kaneko T, Uehara T, Kurita H. Relationship between dry mouth and hypertension. Clin Oral Investig. 2021 Sep;25(9):5217-5225. doi: 10.1007/s00784-021-03829-4. Epub 2021 Feb 16. PMID: 33594468.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00784-021-03829-4Cappetta K, Beyer C, Johnson JA, Bloch MH. Meta-analysis: Risk of dry mouth with second generation antidepressants. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2018 Jun 8;84(Pt A):282-293. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.12.012. Epub 2017 Dec 20. PMID: 29274375.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278584617306838?via%3Dihub