Dry Mouth

Question 1

Definition of hyposalivation

Answer 1

Objective measurable decrease in saliva

Question 2

Definition of Xerostomia

Answer 2

Subjective pt presenting with sensation of dry mouth

Question 3

Dry mouth symptoms and signs

Answer 3

Difficulty eating or swallowing dry food
Need to sip water
Altered or unpleasant taste
Dry oral mucosa - lobulated tongue
Oral Candida
Increased plaque
Increased root caries/ perio
Salivary gland swelling/ infection

Question 4

Extra oral signs

Answer 4

Swelling (size/ symmetry)
Palpate - diffuse/ discrete, fixed, firm/ tender / rubbery
Cranial nerve exam

Question 5

Intra oral exam

Answer 5

Dry and sticky mucosa - finger adheres to surface
Try express saliva from parotid ducts
Shiny
Frothy saliva
Root caries

Question 6

What can you use to classify dry mouth

Answer 6

Challacombe scale
Sialometry - salivary flow rate
Unstinulated flow rate of <0.1mL/min = hypo

Question 7

What are causes of dry mouth

Answer 7

Drugs
Irradiation
Salivary gland disease
Systemic disease
Dehydration - alcohol, caffeine, smoking
Psychogenic

Question 8

List some common drugs that cause dry mouth

Answer 8

Diazepam
Salbutamol
Atropine
Amitriptyline
Cetirizine
Chlorpromazine
Frusemide
Heloperidol

Question 9

What systemic diseases cause dry mouth

Answer 9

Sjögren’s syndrome
Sarcoidosis
Infection - HIV, Hep C, EBV
Cystic fibrosis
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Salivary aplasia
DM, COPD, Chr