Dry mouth in older adults: Causes and treatments

Q.	I'm 72 years old, and my mouth is dry all the time. What causes this? Is there anything I can do? No name given / Florida see response Mayo Clinic geriatrician Paul Takahashi, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

All Healthy Aging Q&As:

• Antidepressant side effects: Is bone loss a concern?
• Calcium supplements: Do men need them too?
• Dry mouth in older adults: Causes and treatments
• Eye vitamins: Can they prevent or treat glaucoma?
• Folic acid supplements: Can they slow cognitive decline?



• Loss of sex drive in men: A consequence of aging?
• Loss of taste and smell: A normal part of aging?
• Low blood sodium (hyponatremia) in older adults
• Male urinary incontinence: A normal part of aging?
• Osteoporosis treatment: How do you know it's working?



• Phosphatidylserine supplements: Can they improve memory?
• Senior dating: Resuming sexual activity later in life
• Shingles vaccine: Can I transmit the vaccine virus to others?
• Shingles vaccine: Who should get it?
• Testosterone therapy in women: Does it boost sex drive?



• Thin skin: What causes it?
• Water exercise for arthritis: Does pool temperature matter?
• Watery eyes (constant tearing) in older adults

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