Dry mouth, excess salivation, coated tongue, halitosis, and altered taste

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS A reduced production of saliva is usually due to one of the following: an adverse effect of drug therapy, an immune-related disease, radiation damage, or dehydration. Anxiety may also limit the production of saliva, both on an acute or a chronic basis. Xerostomia due to congenital abnormalities or development failure of the salivary glands is extremely rare.