If you’re experiencing the discomfort of dry mouth – hoarseness, frequent thirst, a sticky feeling, problems swallowing, bad breath – don’t dismiss it as merely a nuisance. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, can lead to an array of oral conditions you don’t want, including increased plaque, gum disease and tooth decay as well as certain mouth sores and oral yeast infections.
You can acquire dry mouth from several sources – some illnesses, prescription and over-the-counter medications, smoking, radiation therapy, nerve damage and simple aging. Whatever the cause, the result is too little saliva for good oral health.
