What is Xerostomia (dry mouth)?
Xerostomia, or dryness of the mouth can create havoc. Since less saliva is being produced, the protective cells and enzymes contained within the saliva are less able to fight the bacteria of periodontal disease and decay. As a result there is a greater and more severe incidence of these problems. The parched feeling in your mouth, your tongue sticking to the roof of your mouth and food sticking to your teeth comes from the lack of lubrication. Probably all of us will experience some dryness as time marches on but there are circumstances that magnify the dryness and the problems associated. Many of the medications listed above cause an increased dryness in your mouth. Smoking generates heat and evaporates whatever moisture may be present. Mouth breathing (snoring) and use of positive air flow machines for sleep apnea will also create a desert effect. Radiation and chemotherapy associated with cancer treatment can cause a bad situation to get dramatically worse. While there is no ‘magic
