Dry mouth and halitosis are symptoms that many people take lightly, but they are actually a mirror reflecting the overall health status of our body. Medically, xerostomia refers to a state in which salivary secretion decreases or ceases due to diminished salivary gland function. Saliva is not merely water. It serves as a natural cleanser that cleans the oral cavity, contains enzymes that aid food digestion, and includes minerals and antimicrobial substances that prevent dental caries, acting as the core protector of our oral health.
This salivary secretion is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, with saliva secretion being promoted particularly when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. Under stress or tension, however, the sympathetic nerve can become dominant, suppressing saliva secretion. This is why many people experience a parched mouth right before an important presentation. Yet, if your mouth is dry chronically rather than temporarily, you need to examine the cause in depth.
In modern medicine, the causes of xerostomia are truly diverse. One of the most common causes is medication use. Hundreds of medications, including hypertension drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics, can cause side effects that suppress salivary gland function. Furthermore, autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome can induce dryness by directly attacking the salivary glands and lacrimal glands, while chronic diseases like diabetes can cause systemic fluid metabolic disorders, worsening dry mouth. Radiotherapy to the neck region or certain cancer therapies can also impair salivary gland function. Lifestyle factors, such as dehydration, mouth breathing due to chronic rhinitis, excessive caffeine or alcohol intake, and smoking, are also primary causes. The natural decline of salivary gland function with aging cannot be overlooked either.
Xerostomia can progress beyond simple discomfort to serious oral diseases. When saliva is insufficient, the risk of dental caries surges rapidly, gum disease worsens, and vulnerability to fungal infections such as oral candidiasis increases. The gustatory sense, which is the ability to taste, is also diminished, and one begins to feel discomfort when swallowing food or speaking.
Moreover, one of the greatest concerns, halitosis, is inextricably linked to dry mouth. When saliva is lacking, oral bacteria and food debris cannot be properly cleared, and as they decompose, they produce foul-smelling substances called volatile sulfur compounds. Furthermore, because systemic issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, nasal cavity or paranasal sinus infections, tonsilloliths, and kidney or liver diseases can also cause halitosis, it is critical to seek professional care if halitosis persists. We can see that the concept of body fluids in the Donguibogam is closely connected to water balance and salivary secretion in modern medicine. Listening closely to these small signals from your body helps sustain a healthy life.
