Dry Mouth / Xerostomia (adjunctive care)
Also known as: dry mouth, xerostomia, mouth dryness
Dry mouth is reduced saliva — common after head-and-neck radiotherapy, with many medicines (especially antidepressants and blood-pressure tablets) and with Sjögren's syndrome. Causes get treated; symptom care includes sipping fluids, saliva substitutes and dental care. Chinese medicine reads it as yin and fluids failing to reach the mouth, or spleen deficiency failing to transport fluids.
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Lifestyle & Diet
- •Sip water regularly; chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva.
- •Use saliva substitutes and fluoride toothpaste; see the dentist more often.
- •Review the medicine list with your GP — many cause dry mouth.
- •Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes and smoking.
Cautions & Contraindications
- •CV23 must be needled shallowly and only by experienced practitioners.[]
When to reassess or seek care again
Review every 8 weeks: mouth comfort, dental status, medication changes. Coordinate with the treating specialist.
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Sources & Further Reading
Clinical guidance, red flags and safety notes on this page draw on the following current sources alongside the classical references above.
- Healthdirect Australia · 2024
- National Library of Medicine · 2024
- NHS · 2024
Educational reference for licensed practitioners. Not a substitute for individual clinical assessment. Refer to conventional care for any red-flag or undiagnosed presentation.