Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition in which the salivary glands in the mouth do not make enough saliva to keep the mouth wet.

It may be caused by age, certain medications or medical treatments, such as chemotherapy. Dry mouth is also a symptom of some diseases, including diabetes, strokes and yeast infections in the mouth. In rare cases, dry mouth may be the result of a condition directly affecting the salivary glands. 

Symptoms of dry mouth include a dry, sticky feeling in the mouth; bad breath; problems chewing, and swallowing; a sore throat and hoarseness; altered taste; and difficulties wearing dentures. If left untreated, dry mouth may lead to other complications, such as a higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay, mouth sores, sores around the mouth, and oral yeast infections. 

Treatment of dry mouth involves addressing the cause of the condition, for example, by changing medication. Maintaining a high level of oral hygiene and drinking plenty of water is also important. Drug classes sometimes used to treat dry mouth include cholinergic agonists, and artificial saliva to clean and moisten the mouth.