Abstract
Dry mouth is a common cause of poor oral health and associated quality of life among frail elders, due largely to multiple medication use. Yet, it is only when we do not have enough saliva that we appreciate what it is that we have lost. We present an overview of the salivary system and the role of saliva. There is a description of how to measure dry mouth symptoms and the quantity and quality of saliva, and an overview of the occurrence, consequences, and management of dry mouth.