Xerostomia: clinical aspects and treatment

Area of Science:

• Dental Medicine
• Oral Health
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is prevalent in dental settings.
• Medications, radiation therapy, and conditions like Sjogren's syndrome are common causes.
• Dry mouth leads to impaired eating, speech, malnutrition, and increased dental caries risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the common causes (aetiologies) of xerostomia.
• To outline methods for clinical identification and diagnosis of dry mouth.
• To describe routine therapeutic options for managing xerostomia.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of xerostomia causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Clinical examination protocols for intraoral and extra-oral assessment.
• Analysis of current treatment modalities including salivary substitutes and stimulants.

Main Results:

• Medication side effects are the primary cause, particularly in the elderly.
• Xerostomia significantly impacts quality of life and oral health.
• Effective management involves diagnosis, dental care, and medication review.

Conclusions:

• Dentists must be prepared for increasing xerostomia cases due to an aging, medicated population.
• Early diagnosis and comprehensive management are crucial for patient well-being.
• Treatment strategies include salivary support, caries prevention, and medication adjustment.