Dry mouth, or xerostomia, occurs when the salivary glands in the mouth don’t produce enough saliva. Everyone needs saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth.

Causes of dry mouth syndrome include:

Side effect of certain medications and medical treatments

Smoking or chewing tobacco

Breathing with your mouth open

Medical conditions, such HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mumps

Nerve damage in the head and neck area due to trauma or surgery

Dehydration, fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns

In Ayurveda, this condition is called Trishna Roga. “Trishna” means thirst.

According to Ayurveda, dry mouth also indicates dryness in other digestive glands. Dry mouth can be a sign of inadequate hydration, one of the earliest signs of high Vata.

Other factors, such as Kapha-type dry mouth, can be a sign of thick fluid and sluggish circulation, making the saliva thick and sticky. It can also be a sign of high blood sugar, especially in diabetics.

According to Ayurveda, dry mouth syndrome results from an aggravation of one or more doshas. If you have an excess of one of the doshas, Ayurveda recommends reducing the dietary and lifestyle habits that aggravate them.