People with chronic dry mouth (xerostomia) often experience difficulty tasting, chewing, swallowing foods (dysphagia) and speaking due to the lack of saliva in their mouth.

Dry mouth may be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms, which may provide some clues as to its cause. Symptoms can include:

• Pain or a burning, tingling sensation in the mouth (odynophagia)
  
  
• Sore throat or hoarseness
  
  
• Cracked lips and/or mouth sores (lesions)
  
  
• Thick and/or stringy saliva
  
  
• Excessive plaque (a soft, sticky substance composed mainly of bacteria) in the teeth
  
  
• Tooth decay
  
  
• Gum disease
  
  
• Tongue that is dry, red and/or raw
  
  
• Halitosis (bad breath)
  
  
• Altered taste
  
  
• Frequent thirst
  
  
• Dry nasal passages
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Dry, flaky skin including hair and nails
  
  
• Excessive or decreased urination and/or dark-colored urine
  
  
• Nausea and vomiting
  
  
• Diarrhea or constipation
  
  
• Unexplained weight loss
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Fever or chills