Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a condition in which saliva flow is affected, making your mouth feel dry. Saliva keeps your mouth working properly. In addition to keeping your mouth moist, saliva helps you digest your food and swallow. Additionally, it acts as a cleanser, neutralizing plaque acids. It is constantly washing around your mouth and teeth, keeping them clean and preventing tooth decay.

A lack of saliva can also affect the taste of food and make it difficult to eat dry foods. It can affect your speech and cause bad breath.

The condition is worse at night when there is less saliva produced than in the daytime. Having a sore mouth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Some medical conditions (for example, diabetes, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, and blocked salivary glands) can also cause dry mouth.

Visit your dentist regularly to avoid complications. With dry mouth, you have a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, and these conditions can get progressively worse. Therefore, it is important to visit your dental office regularly.