Dry mouth occurs when the glands of the oral cavity are not working properly. Simply put, there is not enough saliva or spit to keep your mouth wet. Because there is less saliva to protect and clean teeth and gums, you are more prone to gum disease and decay. The onset of dry mouth may be insidious and subtle as you age. With the elderly suffering many dry mouth related problems requiring expensive dental work.

This lack of saliva can occur either due to lifestyle factors affecting the glands, or the problem may be more systemic. Some tell tale symptoms of dry mouth are:

• Constant sore throat, or the feeling of a "lump in the throat"
• Burning tongue syndrome, or reaction to acidic foods
• Dry mouth during sleeping
• Dry cracked lips and corners of the mouth or mouth sores
• Dry mouth during the day, dry nasal passages
• Constant thirst
• Lack of lubrication during eating, talking or swallowing
• Saliva that feels stringy during swallowing
• The taste of food has changed
• Bad Breath

Throughout the day and night, tooth enamel is in a dynamic action of demineralization and demineralization depending on the acid contents of the foods and drinks we consume, and the quality of the saliva. Basically when an introduced food has a pH of below 5.5 (see drink chart) demineralization occurs. This means the acids in the consumed foods and drink leach out the Calcium and Phosphates from tooth enamel.

We then rely on our saliva to remineralize (add the Calcium Ions and Phosphate Ions) back to the tooth after this acid attack. Saliva demineralization of teeth can only occur if the quality and quantity of the saliva is good.

Therefore it is important to restore your mouth to healthy saliva as soon as possible to avoid the consequences of decay and bad breath.