[Mouth dryness (xerostomia)--causes, diagnosis and therapy]

Xerostomia or dry mouth is a state of decreased salivary flow rate in the oral cavity, i.e. symptom which could be caused by various systemic diseases and states, as well as iatrogenically. The importance of recognizing xerostomia results in better conditions in the oral cavity, because loss of saliva manifests itself in frequent infections in the oral cavity, rampant caries, especially of the cervical parts of the teeth, inflammation of the major salivary glands, various unspecific symptoms as well as decreased ability to speak and eat.