US Medical Term · symptoms
Dry Mouth
Boca seca
Also: Sequedad oral (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Dry Mouth |
| Spanish (Español) | Boca seca |
| Chinese (中文) | 口乾 |
| Korean (한국어) | 구강 건조 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Khô miệng |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Tuyong bibig |
| Portuguese (Português) | Boca seca |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ปากแห้ง |
| Japanese (日本語) | 口腔乾燥 |
What it means
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a sensation of insufficient saliva in the mouth. Saliva is essential for chewing, swallowing, speaking, and preventing tooth decay. Common causes include dehydration, breathing through the mouth, anxiety, and medications such as antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, and diuretics. Medical conditions such as Sjögren syndrome, diabetes, and HIV can also reduce saliva production. Dry mouth can cause difficulty swallowing, bad breath, mouth sores, and increased risk of cavities. Chronic dry mouth should be evaluated and managed to protect oral health, often through increased water intake, saliva substitutes, or adjusting medications.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My mouth feels very dry all the time and I am always thirsty.
Mi boca se siente muy seca todo el tiempo y siempre tengo sed.
I have trouble swallowing because my mouth does not produce enough saliva.
Tengo dificultad para tragar porque mi boca no produce suficiente saliva.
Since I started my new medication my mouth has been extremely dry.
Desde que empecé mi nuevo medicamento, mi boca ha estado extremadamente seca.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026