Xerostomia is characterized as: A) Reduced salivary flow rate B) Increased production of saliva C) A subjective complaint of dry mouth D) Inability to swallow

Understand the Problem

The question is asking us to identify the correct characteristic of xerostomia from the provided options. To solve it, we will analyze each option and determine which best defines xerostomia.

More Information

Xerostomia is not the same as salivary gland hypofunction, which involves an actual decrease in the production of saliva. Instead, xerostomia is often used to describe the feeling of dryness in the mouth, an issue that is both subjective and common.

Tips

Confusion often arises between xerostomia and actual saliva production issues. Remember, xerostomia is about the sensation, not necessarily the measurable saliva output.

Sources

• Xerostomia is a subjective complaint of oral dryness - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Xerostomia - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org