One of the most common side effects of many medications is
cotton mouth, an uncomfortable condition that occurs when the
saliva levels in your mouth drop to near zero. Dozens of drug
categories lead to dry mouth, from antihistamines to
antihypertensives, but one of the most notorious causes of a
cottony palate - and so, of bad breath - is antidepressants. Why
do these prescriptions dry out your mouth and encourage
halitosis? For the answer to that, you have to look at how the
saliva glands work. Salivary glands: A vital trio There are
three different types of salivary glands in your mouth: the
submandibular (located under the floor of your mouth), the
sublingual (under the tongue) and the parotid, which is wrapped
around your lower jaw, just beneath the hinge. If the latter
sounds familiar, it may be because Beastie Boy and hip-hop
legend Adam Yauch recently passed away from cancer of the
parotid gland. Your salivary glands emit a constant stream of
moisture into your mouth, which keeps your palate wet and mi