Xerostomia

Xerostomia






Xerostomia is a condition that is marked by dryness of mouth. It will reduce the saliva formation and block the secretion of salivary gland temporarily causing more dryness. It is actually a symptom of many diseases like lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma and hyperthyroidism and this symptom will cause serious side effects on the life of the affected person. It can cause slurred speech, inability to sense taste and makes the person vulnerable for dental problems.

Causes :

Certain medications cause the symptoms of dryness on your mouth. Drugs given for Blood Pressure, Depression, anxiety and tranquilizers would produce this effect. Certain diuretics and antihistamine drugs will also have adverse effect on the user. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can alter the normal flow and secretion of saliva from salivary gland. Certain diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome can cause dryness in your eyes and mouth. Endocrine disorders, heightened level of stress and depression can produce the same effect.

Any sudden injury to the head or neck region can cause serious damage on the nerves that will cut off the nerve supply to the mouth. This will stop the secretion of saliva or reduce it considerably. Prolonged use of tobacco in any form and old age can also cause xerostomia or dry mouth.

Dry mouth is the common term used to describe xerostomia and it is a serious condition and not just a nuisance. The affected person will not be able to enjoy his food anymore and moreover this condition will cause serious Tooth Decay promoting bacterial growth. Very often dry mouth or xerostomia is side effect of medications.

Symptoms :

There will not be enough saliva in the mouth leading to dryness. Saliva will be thick and less quantity. There will be painful sores in the oral cavity and the lips will develop cracks. You may not be able to enjoy the taste of food anymore and this condition will cause increased plaque formation and tooth decay. In addition this condition will give rise to fungal infection on the mouth.

Cracked lips, bad breath, inflammation of the lips, tearing of soft tissue of oral mucosa, taste disorders (dysgeusia), painful tongue, inflammation on the tongue, ulcerous growth on the tongue, tooth decay, plaque formation, gum disease, stringy saliva, Sore Throat, problems in wearing dentures are some of the other signs of xerostomia.

Diagnoses :

Your doctor will physically examine the mouth and collect your medical history. He would make a list of medications you are taking to find out if xerostomia is caused due to certain medicines. He would request for blood test and scanning of salivary gland to identify how much saliva can be produced through the glands. Sialometry and saliography tests are done for measuring the flow of saliva from the salivary gland. If necessary, your doctor will take a small sample of salivary gland for testing in the lab.

Treatment :

In case the problem of dry mouth is caused as side effect of medicines your doctor will stop it or give suitable alternative. Pilocarpine or Salagen is prescribed for stimulating the secretion of saliva from the salivary glands. In case of severe tooth decay, your dentist will ask you to wear special covering of teeth that is filled with fluoride.

Your doctor will first identify the right causative factor that is responsible for xerostomia. Treatment is to be given for increasing the saliva flow, for managing dental caries, for replacing the lost secretion, and for treating infections.

The patients with xerostomia should not wear fixed dentures and the doctor should examine their mouth regularly for detecting any unusual color patches or ulcers. They should avoid taking dry foods, acidic foods, spicy and hot foods, sugary drinks and astringents.

The treatment should be oriented in giving special kinds of food that is blended and moist so that it becomes easy to swallow. Some people use artificial saliva or follow easy method of sipping water for facilitating digestion. You can also use mixture of water and glycerin for rinsing the mouth to prevent plaque formation and tooth decay. Dental caries is one of the common problems in patients with dry mouth or xerostomia and hence the dentist will have to take precautions to prevent it.

Pictures of Xerostomia :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Xerostomia

Lifestyle Remedies :

The patient can chew gum chocolates or sugar free candies to enhance production of saliva. He should avoid taking coffee and tea which reduces the saliva and water content. Reduce the intake of acidic foods since it promotes tooth decay. Use a fluoride toothpaste and also rinse that contains fluoride. Biotene oral balance or similar products can be used alternatively.

Whenever you are eating you need to sip water frequently so that food particles get broken up easily for digestion. Finally using room humidifier will be helpful for adding moisture at night time.

Xerostomia – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Pictures

Xerostomia – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Pictures

What is Xerostomia?

This is the medical term for dry mouth. This is a difficulty where the mouth becomes unusually dry and is a problem which is common that can seem to be an annoyance. But a mouth that is dry may affect both a person’s pleasure of food as well as the condition of a person’s teeth.

Due to a consequence of no saliva or condensed saliva, mouth’s that are dry may lead to difficulties since saliva helps to avoid decay of tooth by restricting growth of bacteria and rinsing away food bits. Saliva also increases an individual’s capacity to taste food and making it stress-free swallowing. Additionally, enzymes in saliva help in digesting food.

While treatment of this condition rest on what is causing this condition, a mouth that is dry is generally a result of some drugs. Dry mouth can improve with dosages that are adjusted or new different medications.

Xerostomia Symptoms

If an individual is not creating enough saliva, these are some of the symptoms and signs:

• Saliva that is stringy and thick


• Cracked lips


• Mouth is dry


• Split skin or sores in the mouth corners


• Breath that is bad


• Problems swallowing and difficulty speaking


• Sore Throat


• Changed taste


• Infection with fungus in the mouth


• Increase in plaque, decay of teeth and diseases of the gums


• With women, this condition can cause lipstick sticking to teeth

Xerostomia Causes

Mouths that are dry have many causes and they include:

Medications
There are many medications that cause an unexpected result of dry mouth. Some of the likely types are drugs to treat anxiety and Depression, antihistamines, decongestants, anti-Diarrheas, muscle relaxants and Parkinson’s medications.
Aging
Aging is not a risk for dry mouth by itself; but, older individuals are probable to be using drugs that might cause dry mouth. Also, older individuals are more likely to have other health problems that can cause dry mouth.

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Therapy for cancer therapy
Drugs for chemotherapy can alter everything about saliva as well as the quantity produced.

Nerve damage
A surgery or injury that creates damage to a nerve in the neck and head area can also result in dry mouth.

Other causes
Other causes including autoimmune disease such as Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, depression and anxiety disorders.

Use of tobacco
Chewing or smoking tobacco may develop dry mouth

Xerostomia Treatment

If a physician thinks drugs to be the cause, he or she might adjust the dose or switch to another drug that does not cause a dry mouth. The physician may also consider prescribing pilocarpine or Salagen or cevimeline or Evoxac that motivate saliva production.

With cases that are severe in order to avert cavities, the dentist may fit you for casings for your teeth complete with fluoride to use at night.

Xerostomia Pictures