What should I do about dry mouth?

ACS Answer

Dry mouth happens when there is not enough saliva in the mouth. It can be caused by breathing through the mouth, or it may be a side effect of some medications, radiation therapy to the head and neck area, or dehydration.

What to look for

• Dried, flaky, whitish saliva in and around the mouth
• Thick, mucus-like saliva that stays attached to the lips when you open your mouth
• Mouth always open to breathe
• Debris stuck to teeth, tongue, and gums

What to do

• Rinse mouth every two hours with saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt dissolved in 1 quart of warm water).
• Drink liquids with meals to moisten foods and to help with swallowing.
• Try ice chips, hard candies, and sugarless chewing gum.
• Add liquids to solid foods (e.g., gravies, sauce, milk, yogurt).
• Use petroleum jelly or lip balm to keep lips moist.
• Use artificial saliva. (Ask your doctor or pharmacist.)

Do not

• Forget good mouth care
• Eat or drink hot, spicy, or acidic foods such as citrus fruit juice
• Eat foods that require a lot of chewing, such as tough meats, raw vegetables, or chewy candy
• Lick lips (this may increase drying and chapping)
• Drink alcohol or carbonated beverages, as they can be painful to mouth lining

Call the doctor about any of the following symptoms

• If mouth remains dry for more than three days
• If dry, cracked lips or mouth sores develop. (See the section on mouth sores.)
• If you have trouble breathing

Related Resources

Find books that cover this and other cancer topics at the American Cancer Society bookstore.

Recommended Consultation

You should consider discussing this question with your doctor or health care team.

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