Summary: Xerostomia, „dry mouth“ develops due to decreased saliva production. It follows to disorders of mastication, swallowing, taste and speech, increased formation of caries and fungal infections of oral cavity. It can be caused by iatrogenic reasons (after drugs, post-irradiation) or it can be associated with other disease of salivary glands, autoimmune diseases, infectious, endocrine or psychiatric diseases. The authors describe clinical consequences of creased saliva production and present practical stimuli for examination and treatment of the cases described.

        Key words: xerostomia, dry mouth, salivary glands.