The Dry Mouth Epidemic – It’s More than Medications, Aging and Degenerative Diseases
Overview

Saliva is a complex fluid that helps support overall oral health. Dry mouth syndrome is a modern-day epidemic that affects people of all ages and significantly increases the risk for caries, erosion, dentinal hypersensitivity, and candidiasis. Insufficient or poor-quality saliva is a symptom of many conditions and illnesses, medications, and aging. Salivary issues are also modified by lifestyle choices, dietary intake, respiratory issues, and climate.

Dry mouth syndrome includes feeling dry (xerostomia), a condition that is not necessarily the same as being dry (hyposalivation). A strong scientific foundation in dry mouth syndrome prepares clinicians to take a more effective role in early diagnosis and preventing or minimizing the effects of this multifactorial condition.