Dry mouth occurs when the production of saliva is lower than usual. Highly prevalent among older adults, especially women, it affects about a quarter of the population and can lead to difficulties in speaking, altered taste perception, trouble swallowing, bad breath, increased risk of cavities, and a greater susceptibility to oral infections.

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can range from a mild, temporary reduction in saliva – often triggered by stress or nervousness – to more complex conditions that compromise oral health, affecting both teeth and gums.

Dry mouth is often a symptom of various conditions that affect the salivary glands, altering their ability to produce saliva. Although no direct link between reduced saliva and aging has been firmly established, there is a clear connection between certain medications and decreased salivary flow in older adults.

Several diseases, including Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, are also associated with xerostomia. Additionally, dry mouth is commonly observed in individuals undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In particular, radiotherapy in the head and neck region can temporarily or permanently impair salivary gland function, reducing saliva production and making it thicker.

Some medications used in cancer treatment can also cause dry mouth, including drugs for nausea, certain pain medications, and various psychotropic drugs.

For dry mouth, Cariex®, containing bicarbonate, hyaluronic acid, and xylitol, can be an effective aid in maintaining optimal oral pH and keeping the mucous membranes well-lubricated, providing immediate relief.

Cariex® can be used repeatedly throughout the day and at night by spraying it onto the oral mucosa, with no known contraindications or side effects. It also helps prevent issues such as oral fungal infections (candidiasis) and bad breath, and by controlling acidity, it reduces the risk of cavities – particularly common in individuals with reduced saliva flow.

Cariex® serves as an effective saliva substitute and is easy to use: just three sprays whenever dryness is felt and after each meal.

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a condition in which the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth properly hydrated.

This condition presents with a variety of unpleasant symptoms. As the name itself suggests, dry mouth manifests as an uncomfortable sensation of oral dryness. The lack of adequate lubrication may make swallowing difficult; the tongue and mucous membranes are dry, and at times the lips may also become dry and chapped. Saliva also plays an important role in taste perception: in cases of xerostomia, it is not uncommon to experience a reduced or altered sense of taste.
 
But saliva is far more than a simple lubricant: in the absence of its antibacterial activity — attributable to its unique composition — and its capacity to buffer oral pH, the oral environment may become increasingly acidic. This can have a negative impact on both hard tissues, namely the teeth, and soft tissues, namely the gums and oral mucosa.
 
When the pH becomes acidic, teeth can begin to demineralize, weakening and becoming sensitive to hot, cold, and bacterial attacks.
 
The oral mucosa, in turn, suffers from the acidic oral environment, as this condition promotes the proliferation of microorganisms. The first effect of this disproportionate growth is bad breath — but it is not the only one: without adequate saliva production, it becomes far easier to develop cavities, gum inflammation, and mucosal disorders, up to and including fungal infections such as oral candidiasis. Conversely, a neutral oral cavity is a healthy oral cavity, where microorganisms struggle to thrive.

There are many causes of dry mouth, but they all stem from insufficient activity of the salivary glands.

The most common and intuitive cause is dehydration. If you are not drinking enough fluids, consume excessive amounts of coffee (which has a diuretic effect), or engage in prolonged intense physical activity, you may need to increase your fluid intake to restore proper hydration.

Xerostomia can also appear as a secondary symptom of various medical conditions, from diabetes and leukemia to AIDS and Sjögren’s syndrome.
Certain medications can also cause dry mouth as a side effect. For example, some chemotherapy drugs – especially those used to treat head and neck cancers – can damage or destroy the salivary glands. Even more common medications, such as antihistamines or anti-inflammatories, can dry out oral mucosa; in these cases, the condition usually resolves after the treatment ends.

Poor nutrition can also affect oral lubrication. In particular, some people experience xerostomia due to vitamin deficiencies. Even if the salivary glands are functioning normally, the mucosa can still feel dry and irritated.

Xerostomia can be highly distressing. If the condition begins to affect your quality of life, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. Do not overlook this condition, however: you certainly do not want to put the health of your mouth and teeth at risk!
With a few simple adjustments, it is nonetheless possible to improve the situation: sometimes reviewing our everyday habits is sufficient to find relief, and there are numerous natural remedies available to you.

• The first is… drink more! Water is the best ally in combating the dehydration that so often lies at the root of dry mouth. Always carrying a small bottle of water and remembering to sip it throughout the day helps turn the act of drinking into a healthy habit. However, avoid overindulging in sugary, carbonated, or highly acidic beverages (soft drinks or orange juice): sugar “feeds” the bacteria in our mouth, and the acidic component worsens the sensation of dryness. When saliva is not produced in sufficient quantities to balance oral pH and counteract microorganisms, still water is always the better choice.
• Diet can contribute to reducing the discomfort caused by xerostomia. Do not neglect adequate intake of fruit and vegetables throughout daily meals, both to supplement fluid intake and to obtain the vitamins that our entire body — oral cavity included — requires. Vitamin C in particular is highly beneficial in helping to repair the damage caused by excessive mucosal dryness. B vitamins, on the other hand, are at the forefront of strengthening the immune system and helping to combat the microorganisms that may proliferate in the mouth.
• Spices like cayenne pepper can stimulate salivary glands when sprinkled on food or directly on the tongue.
• Fennel seeds, rich in flavonoids, and cardamom, in addition to promoting lubrication of the oral cavity, help combat bad breath. You can try adding them to your dishes, chewing them between meals, or steeping them to prepare a herbal infusion to sip — adding the further benefit of increased fluid intake!
• Avoid harmful habits. Smoking and alcohol consumption are major contributors to dry mouth.
• Immediate relief can also come from rinsing with alcohol-free mouthwashes or using products designed to repair oral tissues, neutralize acidity, and refresh a mouth affected by xerostomia.

Cariex® in particular, thanks to its composition closely resembling that of saliva, the powerful buffering capacity of its bicarbonate content, and its rapid action, is a valuable ally in moisturising the oral cavity — immediately alleviating the discomfort caused by xerostomia — and in promptly restoring oral pH. In this way, beyond instant relief, we can also address the medium and long-term damage caused by oral acidity associated with xerostomia.

When the salivary glands don’t function properly, they may produce too little saliva to keep the mouth comfortably hydrated. When this happens, we’re dealing with a condition known as xerostomia, or dry mouth.

There are many possible causes – ranging from certain medications, to issues directly affecting the salivary glands, to a number of underlying medical conditions.

It’s not a problem to overlook. Beyond being uncomfortable and making everyday activities such as speaking or eating more difficult, saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health. It helps limit bacterial growth, clears away food particles that brushing may miss, and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria. In doing so, it stabilizes the mouth’s pH balance and protects both teeth and gums. When saliva is lacking, the entire oral cavity can be affected.

Xerostomia can impact overall well-being to varying degrees. In mild cases, it is mostly an annoyance – unpleasant but manageable. If ignored or particularly severe, however, it can affect not only oral health but also general health, reducing appetite and making chewing more difficult.

The symptoms of dry mouth are numerous, yet generally easy to recognize. They may be constant or come and go, and some can be more persistent than others.

One of the most noticeable signs – true to its name – is the feeling of dryness and poor lubrication inside the mouth. Because saliva is produced in insufficient amounts, it may appear unusually thick or sticky.

Other common symptoms include difficulty chewing and swallowing, a hoarse voice, and a dry sensation extending to the throat. Since saliva plays an important role in how we perceive flavors, dry mouth – especially when it affects the tongue – can also lead to changes in taste perception.

A reduction in saliva can also encourage bacterial overgrowth, which may result in halitosis, or bad breath.

Dry mouth is more common in women, who naturally tend to produce slightly less saliva than men and may notice symptoms worsening during menopause.

If these symptoms are persistent or seem to be worsening, it’s important to consult your doctor.

Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep the oral cavity properly hydrated. This can happen for many different reasons.

To begin with, a gradual decline in saliva production is a normal part of aging. In women, menopause and the related hormonal changes can affect saliva secretion, but older men also frequently experience xerostomia.

Many medications list dry mouth among their side effects. Some are commonly used, such as painkillers, antihistamines, and decongestants. Chemotherapy drugs may also cause xerostomia; in most cases, this effect is temporary and resolves once treatment ends.

Certain medical conditions – including Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, diabetes, and oral candidiasis – can further contribute to dry mouth. Smoking and alcohol consumption are additional factors that can intensify the sensation of dryness.

Maintaining proper hydration is one of the most effective ways to prevent your mouth from drying out. Drinking plenty of water – while avoiding sugary and carbonated beverages – should be part of your daily routine. It can also help to keep indoor environments adequately humidified and to breathe through your nose rather than your mouth.

Limiting or, ideally, eliminating alcohol and tobacco is beneficial. Caffeine intake should also be reduced, as it can dry out the mucous membranes.

Certain foods, such as lemon juice and ginger, naturally stimulate saliva production and can encourage the salivary glands to work more effectively.

If dryness has already developed, several strategies can help ease discomfort. Using alcohol-free mouthwashes can keep the oral cavity clean without irritating the tissues.

Saliva substitutes containing xylitol can also provide relief, helping the mucosa stay hydrated when the glands aren’t producing enough saliva.

Cariex® is a valuable ally in restoring the proper hydration of the oral cavity when dry mouth has already developed, and in rebalancing pH. Its formulation based on bicarbonate, xylitol, and other natural ingredients — such as hyaluronic acid, naturally present in our cells — combined with its spray format and a consistency specifically designed to adhere to the oral mucosa, makes it ideal for moisturising dry mouth, helping to maintain oral health and limiting the onset of cavities and gum disorders.