When we don’t produce enough saliva, the mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Dry mouth or xerostomia is common in older people affecting around one in five elderly people. Saliva moistens and cleanses the mouth, helps to process food and prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth.Some people mistake thirst for dry mouth, but the causes are different.
Dry mouth can cause discomfort, affect speech and swallowing, affect dentures, cause bad breath, increase bacteria in the mouth and cause tooth decay in the long term.