If your mouth feels like there’s cotton in it, and you’re having trouble swallowing, you’re experiencing dry mouth. Dry mouth has several different causes, and it’s important to determine the cause so that you can effectively treat it.

Symptoms of dry mouth include a cotton-like feeling in the mouth, dry throat, hoarseness, a dry, raw, red tongue, sores in the mouth or on the corners of the mouth, problems speaking, difficulty swallowing or tasting, and/or bad breath. A tingling or burning sensation on the tongue or in the mouth, frequent thirst, and dry nasal passages are also symptoms of dry mouth.

There are several possible causes of dry mouth. For instance, dry mouth is a common side effect of some over-the-counter and prescription medications. Specifically, medications utilized in the treatment of anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s disease, pain, epilepsy, nausea, psychotic disorders, acne, urinary incontinence, diarrhea, and obesity commonly cause dry mouth. Additionally, antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, and bronchodilators may cause dry mouth. 

Radiation treatments to the neck and head can damage salivary glands, decreasing the amount of saliva they produce. This can be temporary or permanent, depending on the area being treated and the dose of radiation given. Chemotherapy treatments may also decrease the amount of saliva the salivary glands produce. Normal salivary flow typically returns after chemotherapy ends. Surgical removal of the salivary glands is another cause of dry mouth as well. Additionally, nerve damage after an injury or surgery to the neck or head can be responsible for the symptoms of dry mouth.

Sometimes, medical conditions can lead to dry mouth as well. Specifically, mumps, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, cystic fibrosis, stroke, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and HIV/AIDS can cause dry mouth.

Finally, your lifestyle can aggravate dry mouth. Breathing with your mouth open continuously can easily lead to dry mouth symptoms. In addition, chewing tobacco or smoking may affect salivary production. Likewise, amphetamine use causes damage to the teeth and severe dry mouth.

If you’re having dry mouth often, it’s important to determine the cause of it. Your doctor or dentist should be able to help you determine the cause of your dry mouth and develop an appropriate treatment plan to address it.