Xerostomia (the perception of absent or a reduced volume of saliva) is a potentially serious risk factor for oral disease.
The complaint of xerostomia means the physical properties of saliva are altered, and this usually indicates the protective functions of this critical oral fluid may be lost or diminished.
The causes of xerostomia vary. In older adults common causes include the following:
In developing the differential diagnosis for xerostomia it is important to identify the aetiology in order to plan management of the condition.
Dry mouth in a patient can result in: