Medication is the most common cause of dry mouth. If you always have dry mouth and even experience symptoms such as burning mouth and decreased taste, then come and check yourself if you are taking the following medications. Dry mouth syndrome is not just about dry mouth. If the secretion or consumption of saliva in the mouth decreases, dry mouth may occur. The dry state or sensation of the mouth caused by reduced saliva secretion or changes in its composition is a common symptom of oral self perception. It is a subjective symptom rather than an independent disease. Dry mouth syndrome usually presents with symptoms such as dry mouth, burning or pain in the mouth, decreased or altered taste. At the same time, some patients often need to drink water when swallowing and have difficulty swallowing dry and hard foods. Some patients may experience thickening of saliva, sensitivity to acidic or spicy foods, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Over 60% of cases of dry mouth are related to medication, and the etiology of dry mouth syndrome is complex and diverse. Among them, medication is the most common cause of dry mouth syndrome. It is reported that the incidence rate of xerostomia caused by drugs is 10% or higher, and 64% of xerostomia is related to drugs. If you experience dry mouth, come and check if you are taking the following medications. Antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs such as escitalopram, haloperidol, and phenethylamine can have atropine like effects, leading to dry mouth symptoms. Sedative and anti anxiety drugs Alprazolam, Diazepam, Triazolam. Antihypertensive drugs such as clonidine, methyldopa, reserpine, guanethidine, as well as captopril, lisinopril, enalapril, etc., can all cause significant dry mouth symptoms. They interfere with salivary gland secretion by inhibiting sympathetic nerve transmission in the salivary glands. Anticholinergic drugs such as atropine, scopolamine, and scopolamine can significantly reduce saliva secretion. Alpha receptor and beta receptor blockers phentolamine and propranolol selectively block alpha and beta receptors, respectively, and interfere with salivary gland secretion. Muscle relaxant Tizanidine. Analgesics, opioid drugs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Antihistamines include astemizole, loratadine, and bromopheniramine. Other widely used drugs such as nicotine, aldosterone receptor antagonist spironolactone, anti Parkinson's drug selegiline, and pseudoephedrine can inhibit saliva secretion, leading to dry mouth. Try these six tips to relieve dry mouth and avoid consuming caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and dry or hard to chew foods. Drink water appropriately, but sip it in small amounts multiple times and avoid excessive and uncontrolled drinking. Ensure oral hygiene by performing oral cleaning every 3 months. Patients wearing dentures should keep their dentures clean and should not wear them overnight. Properly increasing the environmental humidity can be achieved by using an air humidifier indoors. You can try chewing sugar free gum, xylitol, oral lozenges, or sour and bitter foods to stimulate taste and stimulate salivary gland secretion to improve symptoms. In addition, artificial saliva can also be used for saliva replacement therapy, but its effectiveness is unreliable, its duration of action is limited, its odor is unpleasant, and its cost is high. If the above methods still cannot effectively improve symptoms, timely medical attention should be sought and relevant medication should be used for treatment. (Xinhua News Agency) Article/Zhao Yiru (Beijing Stomatological Hospital)