Summarize the following:
If you have a persistent dry throat that worsens or doesn't go away with home treatment, you may need to schedule an appointment with your physician or dentist. Your condition might warrant professional attention. Untreated chronic dry throat can lead to some noteworthy complications. For instance, you may eventually find it difficult to swallow food. When accompanied by dry mouth, a dry throat can also make it difficult to chew or taste food, and you may experience more tooth decay if you are unable to produce enough saliva to protect your teeth and gums. Moreover, dry throats that develop into sore throats might be caused by viral or bacterial infections. When left untreated, these conditions can develop into more serious health problems. Certain medical conditions can cause a chronically dry throat, and if one of them is to blame for your current difficulties, your doctor will need to diagnose and treat that condition to improve the dry throat itself. Some illnesses, like Sjogren's syndrome, directly impact your saliva glands and cause saliva production to decrease. Other conditions, like oral yeast infections, colds, allergies, and diabetes, may increase throat dryness indirectly. If your dry throat is caused by immune disease or saliva gland damage, your doctor may choose to prescribe pilocarpine, a drug that increases natural saliva production by stimulating associated nerves. Alternatively, if your dry throat is caused by Sjogren's syndrome, your doctor may prescribe cevimeline to help treat it and other associated symptoms.
Consult your doctor or dentist. Check for underlying conditions. Learn about saliva-producing medication.