Dry mouth, also called xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), is when the salivary glands in the mouth don't make enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. Dry mouth often is due to aging, the side effects of certain medicines or radiation therapy for cancer.

Dry mouth can occasionally happen if you’re dehydrated or feeling particularly anxious. But when your mouth is dry all the time (xerostomia), it could point to an underlying health condition. Certain medications can also cause it. Left untreated, xerostomia makes you more vulnerable to tooth decay, gum disease and other dental issues.

A dry throat can be caused by decreased water intake, dry environments, a cold or GERD. It may present with symptoms like a cough, difficulty swallowing or a sore throat. Learn about the most common causes of a dry throat and when you should see a doctor

A dry mouth is rarely a sign of anything serious. There are things you can do to help ease it yourself. See a GP if these do not work or you also have other symptoms. Causes of a dry mouth. The main causes of a dry mouth are: dehydration – for example, from not drinking enough, sweating a lot or being ill