mouth and dental disorders
Dry Mouth
Key Points
Medications are the most common cause, but some diseases (most commonly Sjögren syndrome or HIV infection) and radiation therapy can also cause dry mouth. Saliva flow can be increased by chewing gum that containsxylitolor sucking on sugarless candy, by taking certain medications, and by using artificial saliva replacement. Because people with dry mouth are at high risk of tooth decay, meticulous oral hygiene, additional preventive measures at home (including daily use of over-the-counter fluoride rinses or dentist-prescribed fluoride toothpaste), and dentist-applied fluoride are essential. 