Dry mouth

This information is about how you can help yourself if you are having problems with a dry mouth, which is also called xerostomia, and may be caused by treatment you are having.

Saliva

Saliva, or spit, is the fluid produced by the salivary glands, which are situated around the jaw and under the tongue. Saliva keeps the mouth clean and helps to prevent infection. It also protects your teeth, as a lack of saliva can increase your risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease.

When you eat, more saliva is produced to moisten the food, which makes it easier to chew and swallow, as well as beginning the process of digestion. A lack of saliva can change the taste of the food you eat and may also mean that you cannot swallow food so well.

Some radiotherapy treatments to the face or mouth, can affect the salivary glands, so that less saliva is produced. The glands may recover over time (sometimes this takes several months), but for some people the dry mouth may be permanent.