Xerostomia is the condition of not having enough saliva or spit, to keep your mouth wet. Tens of million people worldwide suffer from xerostomia. Xerostomia…

• can cause difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing and speaking
• can cause difficulties in sleeping since xerostomia sufferers wake up to moisten their mouth
• can increase your chance of developing dental decay and other infections in the mouth
• can be a sign of certain diseases and conditions
• can be caused by certain medications or medical treatments

Xerostomia is not a normal part of aging. So if you think you have xerostomia, see your dentist or physician--there are things you can do to get relief. Ask them about the Saliwell solution. If they did not hear about Saliwell, you may direct them to this web-site.

2. Xerostomia Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
• trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking
• a burning feeling in the mouth
• a dry feeling in the throat
• cracked lips
• a dry, rough tongue
• mouth sores
• an infection in the mouth
• bad taste
• bad breath (halitosis)
• need to moisten the mouth often (including during the night)

In addition, xerostomia can have negative social side effects. With dry mouth it is harder to communicate so people become reclusive. Difficulties in sleeping means they also become tired and lacklustre.

3. Why is saliva so important?

Saliva does more than keep the mouth wet.

• It helps digest food
• It protects teeth from decay
• It prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth
• It makes it possible for you to chew and swallow

Without enough saliva you can develop tooth decay or other infections in the mouth. You also might not get the needed nutrients if you cannot chew and swallow certain foods. Saliva acts in the mouth like oil does in an engine. Tongue and lips movements are not smooth without enough saliva.

4. What causes Xerostomia?

People get xerostomia when the glands in the mouth that make saliva are not working properly. Because of this, there might not be enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. There are several reasons why these glands (called salivary glands) might not work right.

5. Side effects of some medicines. More than 400 medicines can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva. Medicines for high blood pressure and depression often cause xerostomia.

6. Disease. Some diseases affect the salivary glands: Sjögren's Syndrome, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, depression and Parkinson's disease can all cause xerostomia.

7. Radiation therapy. The salivary glands can be damaged if they are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment.

8. Chemotherapy. Drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker, causing the mouth to feel dry.

9. Nerve damage. Injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva.

In addition, many cases of xerostomia are due to other causes not listed here, or may be of unknown origin (idiopathic).

10. What can be done about Xerostomia?

Xerostomia treatment will depend on what is causing the problem. If you think you have xerostomia, see your dentist or physician. He or she can try to determine what is causing your xerostomia.

If your xerostomia is caused by medicine, your physician might change your medicine or adjust the dosage.

If your salivary glands are not working right but can still produce some saliva, your physician or dentist might treat you with the Saliwell solution, which helps the glands work better.