You know the feeling- your mouth is parched, kind of feels “cottony” and dry, with no saliva available for relief….sound familiar? Many of us have experienced the sensation of a “dry mouth,” which can happen for a variety of reasons. While it may be a fact of life for many as we get older, it’s certainly not a normal by-product of aging. When you have this sensation it’s important to figure out why. Saliva is critical to protecting our teeth and preventing infection, so it’s absence is worrisome and may indicate something is wrong. It could be medications you are taking, stress you are under, or perhaps even a sign of a disease process. Better not to guess, or just gulp some water. Best to contact your physician or dentist, and in the meantime, read what the National Institute of Health has to say about this condition Here.