Mouth
Dry mouth
A persistent feeling that the mouth is dry and short of saliva — often a side effect of medicines, dehydration or breathing through the mouth, but sometimes a sign of an autoimmune condition such as Sjögren's, anxiety or diabetes.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of dry mouth and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is dry mouth?
A dry mouth is the uncomfortable sensation that there is not enough saliva, leaving the mouth and tongue dry, sticky or sore, and sometimes making it harder to chew, swallow, taste or speak. Saliva matters more than people realise: it protects the teeth and gums, helps with taste and digestion, and keeps the mouth comfortable, so a persistently dry mouth can lead to more tooth decay, gum problems and mouth infections.
- Get urgent help: Seek a prompt appointment if a persistently dry mouth comes with dry, gritty eyes and joint pains, which can suggest the autoimmune condition Sjögren's. Get assessed if a dry mouth comes with excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss or tiredness, which can point to diabetes.
- Self-care: A great deal can be done to ease a dry mouth.
About dry mouth
A dry mouth is the uncomfortable sensation that there is not enough saliva, leaving the mouth and tongue dry, sticky or sore, and sometimes making it harder to chew, swallow, taste or speak. Saliva matters more than people realise: it protects the teeth and gums, helps with taste and digestion, and keeps the mouth comfortable, so a persistently dry mouth can lead to more tooth decay, gum problems and mouth infections. Many cases have a simple explanation — not drinking enough, breathing through the mouth especially at night, smoking, alcohol, and very commonly the side effects of medicines, which are among the most frequent causes. Anxiety and stress can dry the mouth too. Sometimes, though, a persistently dry mouth is a clue to an underlying condition: the autoimmune disorder Sjögren's typically dries both the mouth and the eyes, and a dry mouth with thirst and frequent urination can point to diabetes.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if dry mouth comes with any of these warning signs:
- Seek a prompt appointment if a persistently dry mouth comes with dry, gritty eyes and joint pains, which can suggest the autoimmune condition Sjögren's.
- Get assessed if a dry mouth comes with excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss or tiredness, which can point to diabetes.
- Seek same-day help for signs of severe dehydration, such as a very dry mouth with dizziness, confusion, sunken eyes and passing little urine.
- Arrange review for a dry mouth with difficulty swallowing or speaking, white patches or persistent mouth soreness.
- See a dentist if you are developing frequent tooth decay or gum problems alongside a dry mouth.
When to see a doctor
An occasional dry mouth from heat, nerves or a stuffy nose usually settles with simple measures and needs no medical attention. See your doctor or pharmacist if the dryness is persistent, particularly if it followed starting a new medicine, since it is a very common side effect that may be manageable. Seek assessment if a dry mouth comes with dry, gritty eyes and joint pains, suggesting Sjögren's, or with thirst, frequent urination, weight loss and tiredness, suggesting diabetes. Because a lasting dry mouth harms the teeth and gums, keep up regular dental care, and seek same-day help for signs of severe dehydration.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of dry mouth
Dry mouth has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
A great deal can be done to ease a dry mouth. Sip water regularly through the day and keep some by the bed, and let cold sugar-free drinks or ice chips moisten the mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets stimulates saliva. Cut down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking, all of which dry the mouth, and avoid alcohol-containing mouthwashes. Because a dry mouth raises the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, careful oral hygiene and regular dental visits are especially important. If you take regular medicines, do not stop them, but mention the dry mouth to your doctor or pharmacist, as it is a common side effect that can sometimes be addressed. If the dryness is persistent or comes with dry eyes, see your doctor.
Answers
Dry mouth: frequently asked questions
What causes a dry mouth?
Common causes include not drinking enough, breathing through the mouth, smoking, alcohol, anxiety, and very often the side effects of medicines. A persistent dry mouth can also be a sign of conditions such as Sjögren's or diabetes.
Can my medicines cause a dry mouth?
Yes — a dry mouth is one of the most common medicine side effects. Do not stop any prescribed treatment, but mention the dryness to your doctor or pharmacist, as it can sometimes be managed or the cause reviewed.
When should a dry mouth be checked by a doctor?
See a doctor if a dry mouth is persistent, follows a new medicine, or comes with dry gritty eyes and joint pains, or with thirst, frequent urination, weight loss and tiredness, as these can point to an underlying condition.
Why does a dry mouth matter for my teeth?
Saliva protects against tooth decay and gum disease, so a lasting dry mouth raises the risk of both. Good oral hygiene, sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva, and regular dental visits are especially important if your mouth is often dry.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Dry mouth (xerostomia).
- British Sjögren's Syndrome Association.
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