source: University College London

year: N/A

A sensation of having a dry mouth may occur when the salivary glands do not make sufficient saliva. Saliva is necessary for all the normal activities involved in tasting, chewing and swallowing food and for talking. When the mouth is dry, all these activities may become uncomfortable. 

Saliva also helps to wash away food debris from the mouth after eating. When saliva production is reduced there may be worsening of gum disease and tooth decay. 

Causes of Dry Mouth in Amyloidosis

Patients with AL amyloidosis may experience a dry mouth for a number of reasons: 

• AL amyloid deposits in the salivary glands can lead to reduced saliva production and dry mouth. AL amyloid deposits in the tongue causing an enlarged tongue (macroglossia) may also cause mouth discomfort. 

• Chemotherapy may also affect the salivary glands, causing saliva to be thicker and reducing saliva production, leading to a dry mouth. This is usually temporary and gets better after chemotherapy ends.

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