Side Effects Of Antidepressants

Dry Mouth

Many medications can cause dry mouth, antidepressants being just one of them. An individual's mouth becomes dry when their salivary glands don't produce enough saliva. Saliva is necessary for breaking down and removing food from the mouth, and a lack of saliva can lead to serious dental problems. If food gets stuck in the teeth without being broken down, it can contribute significantly to tooth decay. Plaque and bacteria also become stronger when there isn't saliva to inhibit their growth. Two factors can cause dry mouth. The first is the salivary gland doesn't produce as much saliva, while the second is an individual's perception of their mouth's dryness becomes more acute. This means it's possible for antidepressants to make a patient's mouth feel drier even if it isn't.

Tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to cause dry mouth more often than SSRIs. Researchers have found age correlates with the prevalence of dry mouth, and older patients have a higher likelihood of impaired salivary function than younger adults.

Read more about the potential side effects of antidepressants now.