What symptom is primarily associated with dry mouth (xerostomia)?

The symptom primarily associated with dry mouth, or xerostomia, is difficulty swallowing. When saliva production is insufficient, the mouth can become dry, making it challenging to moisten and break down food properly during chewing and swallowing. Saliva plays a crucial role in the digestive process, not only aiding in the mechanical breakdown of food but also providing lubrication necessary for swallowing.

While pain while eating can occur in some cases, such discomfort is often more directly associated with other conditions affecting the oral cavity, such as infections or dental issues, rather than being a direct result of xerostomia. Frequent headaches are not a typical symptom of dry mouth, and increased saliva production contradicts the definition of xerostomia since this condition is characterized by a lack of saliva. Thus, difficulty swallowing stands out as the most relevant symptom related to insufficient saliva output.