Dry mouth facts for kids

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia (pronounced zee-roh-STOH-mee-uh), is when your mouth feels very dry. This happens because your mouth doesn't make enough saliva, which is also called spit. Saliva is important because it helps you chew, swallow, and digest food. It also helps keep your teeth clean and healthy!

What is Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth is more than just feeling thirsty. It means your mouth isn't producing enough saliva to stay wet and comfortable. Saliva helps protect your teeth from cavities and keeps your gums healthy. When you have dry mouth, your saliva might also change, becoming thicker or stickier.

Why Does Your Mouth Get Dry?

Many things can cause your mouth to feel dry. Sometimes, it's just a temporary thing, like when you're nervous or a little bit dehydrated. Other times, it can be a side effect of medicines or a sign of another health issue.

Common Causes of Dry Mouth

• Not Drinking Enough Water: If you don't drink enough water, your body can become dehydrated. This means your body doesn't have enough fluids, and one of the first places you might notice it is in your mouth.
• Medicines: Many common medicines can cause dry mouth as a side effect. These include medicines for allergies, colds, pain, and even some for acne. If you start a new medicine and notice dry mouth, tell a trusted adult or your doctor.
• Health Conditions: Sometimes, dry mouth can be a symptom of other health problems. For example, conditions that affect your salivary glands (the parts of your mouth that make saliva) can lead to dry mouth.
• Infections: Certain infections in your mouth, like oral candidiasis (a type of yeast infection), can also make your mouth feel dry.
• Damage to Salivary Glands: If the glands that make saliva get damaged, they might not be able to produce enough spit. This can happen from injuries or certain medical treatments.

How Dry Mouth Affects Your Health

Saliva does a lot of important jobs in your mouth. It helps wash away food bits and neutralize acids that can harm your teeth. When you have dry mouth, these acids can stay on your teeth longer. This can increase your risk of getting cavities and gum problems.

How to Feel Better

If you have dry mouth, there are several things you can do to help.

Simple Home Remedies

• Drink More Water: Sipping water throughout the day can help keep your mouth moist.
• Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Chewing gum can help your mouth make more saliva. Make sure it's sugar-free to protect your teeth!
• Avoid Sugary and Acidic Foods: Foods and drinks high in sugar or acid can make dry mouth worse and harm your teeth. Try to limit sodas, fruit juices, and candies.
• Breathe Through Your Nose: Breathing through your mouth, especially when you sleep, can dry it out. Try to breathe through your nose instead.

When to See a Doctor

If your dry mouth doesn't get better with home remedies, or if it's very severe, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor or dentist. They can help figure out what's causing it and suggest other ways to help you feel more comfortable.

Images for kids

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  This diagram shows how quickly your mouth becomes acidic after eating sugary foods. In people with enough saliva, the acid is neutralized in about 20 minutes. But if you have dry mouth, it can take twice as long, which means a higher risk of cavities!

See also

In Spanish: Xerostomía para niños