W2 Salivary gland disorders

Question 1

What is Xerostomia?

Answer 1

The feeling of oral dryness. May be a reduction in both quality and quanity of saliva. Prevalence ↑ with age.

Question 2

What are symptoms of Xerostomia?

Answer 2

• Taste dysfunction
• Halitosis
• Mucosal irritation (spicy food, toothpaste) = burning
• Problems with denture
• Issues with chewing, swallowing

Question 3

What are signs of xerostomnia?

Answer 3

ST chages: dry, atrophic, fissured mucosa
Increased plaque deposits
- Recurring fungal infec.
↑ caries
↑ tooth wear
↑ cervical dentinal hypersensitivity

Question 4

What can cause salivary gland dysfunction?

Answer 4

Inadequate water intake
Strenous PA
Alcohol
Caffeine
Pathology:
Head and neck radiation, sialadenitis (bacterial overgrowth)
Sjogren's syndrome

Question 5

What is Sjogren’s Syndrome?

Answer 5

It is an autoimmune condition, resulting in reduced secretion from glands producing saliva, tears and other secretions due t inflammatory changes. Primary or secondary).

Question 6

What factors can affect salivary hypofunction?

Answer 6

1. Dehydration
2. SG pathology
3. Med conditions ( stress, depress, meno)
4. Recreational drugs
5. Medication - anti

Question 7

How do you manage SG hypofunction?

Answer 7

1. Ensure hydration
2. Sugar free gum
3. Prevention (↓ caries diet, ↓ acidity, OH, bicarbonate mw ↑ remineralisation)
4. Prescription of Sialogogues

Question 8

Define halitosis

Answer 8

Oral malodor

Question 9

What causes halitosis

Answer 9

Odour causing foods, smoking, alcohol, dry mouth, poor OH, acue infections

Tongue colonisation, caries, chronic perio.
Acute infections in mouth: dental abcess, pericoronal, PA, ANUG, oral candidosis.

EO: Liver disease, uncontrolled diabetes

Question 10

What is a salivary calculi?

Answer 10

Stone in salivary duct - predominately in submandibular gland.

Tx: refer

Question 11

What are mucoceles?

Answer 11

Affect minor salivary glands. Such as lower lip of epithelial lining.

Appear rounded, fluctuant, bluish

Question 12

What is the aetiology of a mucocele?

Answer 12

Caused by damage to a duct of gland from trauma - fluid filled lesions.

Refer for management of excision

Question 13

What is a ranula?

Answer 13

Salivary cyst associated with sublingual glands, located on the FOM.

Appears soft, fluctuant bluish - painless. 2-3mm in diameter.

Management:
refer for excision