Dry Mouth

During an examination, a dentist will look for signs of xerostomia. For instance, your tongue and inner cheeks may look dry and textured rather than smooth, shiny and moist. To see how much saliva you produce, your dentist may dab around your salivary glands with a piece of gauze. They’ll also look for signs of cavities and gum disease, which can both occur as a result of dry mouth.