Oral Medicine — Update for the dental practitioner: Dry mouth and disorders of salivation

Abstract

This series provides an overview of current thinking in the more relevant areas of oral medicine for primary care practitioners, written by the authors while they were holding the Presidencies of the European Association for Oral Medicine and the British Society for Oral Medicine, respectively. A book containing additional material will be published. The series gives the detail necessary to assist the primary dental clinical team caring for patients with oral complaints that may be seen in general dental practice. Space precludes inclusion of illustrations of uncommon or rare disorders, or discussion of disorders affecting the hard tissues. Approaching the subject mainly by the symptomatic approach -as it largely relates to the presenting complaint -was considered to be a more helpful approach for GDPs rather than taking a diagnostic category approach. The clinical aspects of the relevant disorders are discussed, including a brief overview of the aetiology, detail on the clinical features and how the diagnosis is made. Guidance on management and when to refer is also provided, along with relevant websites which offer further detail.

Caries Risk Assessment by CAMBRA in Children Attending a Basic Health Unit

“…Dryness of lips and absence of salivary production by salivary gland palpation were observed. The oral mucosa becomes dry and atrophic, and patients could gradually demonstrate dysgeusia, dysphagia and dysarthria [15,16].…”

The Effect of a Combination Saliva Substitute for the Management of Xerostomia and Hyposalivation

“…For the purpose of this publication, the term xerostomia will be in regards to the subjective feeling or a dry mouth, without specifying whether or not there is salivary hyposecretion. The diagnosis of salivary gland hypofunction is based on salivary flow measurements [1][2][3][4][5]. The term hyposalivation is used, when the whole salivary secretion is \0.1-0.2 ml/min at rest and under 0.5 to 0.7 ml/min of stimulated saliva [1].…”

“…The diagnosis of salivary gland hypofunction is based on salivary flow measurements [1][2][3][4][5]. The term hyposalivation is used, when the whole salivary secretion is \0.1-0.2 ml/min at rest and under 0.5 to 0.7 ml/min of stimulated saliva [1]. The symptom of xerostomia can be used as an additional assessment of glandular hypofunction if measured in an objective fashion.…”

“…Functionally, there can be impairment in speaking, chewing, swallowing and taste perception [1][2][3][4][5][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Dentally, there is a demineralization of the teeth, progressive periodontal disease, and mucositis [1-4, 9-11, 16, 18].…”

“…Dentally, there is a demineralization of the teeth, progressive periodontal disease, and mucositis [1-4, 9-11, 16, 18]. As the disease progresses, other than dry oral mucosa and saliva thickening, there have been reports of mouth burning, pain, depression, irritability and sleep alterations [1,4,5,9,11,12,[14][15][16][17].…”