Many patients suffer from dry mouth. The lack of saliva in the oral cavity cause patients to have difficulty swallowing, sticky, dry feeling in the mouth, frequent thirst, sores in the mouth; sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth; cracked lips, a burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and especially on the tongue, problems speaking or difficulty tasting, chewing, and swallowing, and bad breath.
The feeling of dry mouth is awful, but there are two health consequences that are even worse:
- – rampant tooth decay.
- – disturbed sleep.
There are several causes of dry mouth, also called xerostomia. These include side effects of certain medications, disease, infections and treatments.
Many over the counter products help only minimally for patients comfort and none assist a patient during the most difficult times, sleeping.