Salivary Gland Problems Flashcards
Function of salivary glands
Avid buffering
Mucosal lubrication
Taste facilitation
Antibacterial
Cause of dry mouth
Salivary gland disease
Drugs ( reduce salivary flow by having an anti-muscarinic anticholinergic action which reduces stimulation to the glands)
Medical conditions and dehydration
Radiotherapy and cancer treatment
Anxiety and somatisation disorders
Salivary changes from 17 years of age onwards
Acinar tissue loss
- submandibular (37%)
- parotid (32%)
- minor glands (45%)
This is normal physiological occurrence
Indirect salivary problems
Anti-muscarinic cholinergic drugs
- tricyclic antidepressants
- antipsychotics
- amitriptyline 26% reduction
Antihistamine
Atropine
Diuretics- benzodiazapine 10%reduction
Even though number is not so high, but when combined with age and decreased flow due to the age, can be significant
Cytotoxics as part of chemotherapy
Lithium (for bipolar disorder)- 70% reduction and increased caries risk
Chronic medical problems inducing dehydration:
Diabetes
Stroke
Addison disease
Persistent vomiting
Acute medical problems:
Acute oral mucosal disease
Burns
Vesiculobullous diseases
Haemorrhage
Cause is external to the gland
Direct salivary gland problems
Aplasia (ectodermal dysplasia-hair, nails, teeth, salivary and sweat glands)
Sarcoidosis (granulomatous condition which will cause an infiltrate whitin the gland and prevent it from functioning properly)
HIV disease ( causes increase in size but decrease in function, can be first sign of HIV so offer a test if seen)
Gland infiltration
Cystic fibrosis (affects all gland secretions throughout the body)
Investigation for salivary disease
Blood tests: FBC, liver function, CRP
Glucose
Anti ro and anti la antibody
Antinuclear antibody
Complement C3 and C 4
Functional assay- salivary flow
Tissue assay-labial gland biopsy
Imaging- plain radiographs, sialography, MR sialography
Ultrasound
Frequent somatoform diseases
Oral dysaesthesia
TMD pain
Headache
Neck/back pain
Dyspepsia
IBS
Normal and reduced flows
Resting flow:
Normal: 0.3-0.4 ml/min
Reduced: less than 0.1 ml/min
Stimulated flow
Normal: 1-2 ml/min
Reduced: less than 0.5 ml/min
Treatable causes of dry mouth
Dehydration
Medicines with anti muscarinic side effects
Medicines causing dehydration
Poor diabetes control
Somatoform disorders
Removal/solution of all above should remove dry cause
Dry mouth with only symptomatic treatment
Sjogren syndrome
Dry mouth from cancer treatment or salivary gland disease
They cannot be brought back to normal salivary flow so only symptomatic relief offered/reduction in disability
Management:
Intensive dental prevention!
Salivary substitutes
Salivary stimulants
Other investigation for dry mouth
Dry eye test
Schitmer test- tear flow less than 5mm wetting of test paper in 15 min
Tear film
Tissue examination- labial gland biopsy (lower lip-looking for lymphocytic infiltrate and focal acinar disease)- not often as can lead to nerve damage and lip numbness
Dentists management of dry mouth
Prevent oral disease is the key
- caries risk assessment
-candida/ staphylococci awareness and reduction- low sugar diet and OHI
(Angular cheilitis, sore tongue)
Maximal preventative strategy
- diet
-fluoride
-treatment planning for caries risk mouth
Saliva substitute
Sprays: (usually discouraged due to low pH
Glandosane
Saliva orthana
Lozenges:
Saliva orthana
SST (saliva stimulating tablet)
Salivary stimulants
Pilocarpine ( helps to increase residual gland function, but side effects: sweating, tachycardia)
Oral care systems
Oral balance
Frequent sips of water
Causes of hypersalivation
True(rare) - actual increase in salivary flow
-drug uses, dementia, CJD, stroke (neurodegenerative - increase in salivary stimulation from lack of normal regulation)
Perceived (common)- NO increase in salivary flow
-swallowing failure (anxiety, stroke, motor neurone disease, MS)
-postural drooling (being a baby, cerebral palsy)
Drugs causes of hypersalivation
Parasymphatomimetics
Buprenorphine
Anticholinesterase
Haloperidol
Clonazepam
….