(7) A dry mouth

Question 1

What are some features that suggest a lack of saliva?

Answer 1

• Glazed alveolar mucosa
• Translucent or thin (atrophic) alveolar mucosa
• Oral debris
• Carious lesions at cervical margins of lower anterior teeth
  
  • Indicates high caries rate

Question 2

What is the difference between true and false xerostomia?

Answer 2

• In false xerostomia sensation of dryness despite normal salivary output
• Mouth breathing, mucosal disease, psychological disease

Question 3

What is Sjogren’s (show-grin) syndrome?

Answer 3

• Autoimmune disorder of exocrine glands
• Primary Sjogren’s syndrome
  
  • Salivary and lacrimal glands most affected

Question 4

What samples are investigated for patients with Sjogren’s syndrome?

Answer 4

• Saliva
  
  • Whole salivary flow rate
  • Culture for candidal count
  • Stimulated parotid flow
• Blood tests
• Urine
  
  • Glucose for unsuspected diabetes
• Salivary gland
  
  • Sialogram, biopsy
• Eye

Question 5

What is punctate sialectasis?

Answer 5

• Sialectasis is the cystic dilatation of the ducts within salivary glands. It is most commonly seen in the parotid gland and is associated with ascending infections and gland destruction.
• Sialectasis has different pattern of dilatation
• Sial: refers to saliva*
• Ectasis: dilatation or distension of a hollow organ*

Question 6

What is the significance of the development of salivary gland swelling?

Answer 6

• It is usually the first sign of lymphoma development