Description

A dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is a persistent feeling that there is not enough saliva in your mouth, making talking and eating difficult or embarrassing. Saliva lubricates and protects your mouth from infection by bacteria, chemicals in the atmosphere, and hot food and drinks. Saliva coats your teeth and protects them. Reduced saliva flow, which causes dry mouth, can cause dental decay and contribute to bad breath. The more medicines you take, the more likely you are to suffer from chronic dry mouth. Many everyday medicines cause dry mouth, including over-the-counter cold remedies and antihistamines. Anti-depressants, some beta-blockers, anti-hypertensives, and diuretics can also be common dry mouth causes. As people get older, they tend to take more medicines. This is the primary reason why older people are more likely to suffer from chronic dry mouth. Older people are more likely to suffer from cancer and Sjögren's Syndrome.