|
Dry mouth is rarely a solitary symptom. When present for long periods of time,
it induces the formation of many other oral symptoms and clinical signs. These
are shown below:
| Oral Changes Associated with a Decrease in the Flow
of Saliva |
|
Oral Function / Site
|
Oral Clinical Signs
|
| Saliva |
Decreased in amount; may be foamy, thick, ropy |
| Tongue |
Dry, sore, fissured, lobulated, tingling, yeast infection |
| Cheeks
|
Dry, dull, pale |
| Mastication
|
Difficult to eat dry foods; persistent denture troubles |
| Taste |
Difficulty with taste |
|
Swallowing |
Difficulty with swallowing; acid reflux disease |
|
Mucosa
|
Sensitivity to acidic, salty & spicy ("hot") foods |
|
Teeth
|
Extensive, sometimes rampant, dental decay. Affects areas not usually prone to
decay e.g. the lower incisor teeth. Root caries often present. |
|
Rampant Dental Caries
|
Tongue: Red, Lobulation
|
Lips: Cheilitis |
Palate: Fungal Infection
|
|
Sumandibular Gland Swelling
|
Often, xerostomia is associated with other widespread, systemic, sensations of dryness.
| Generalized body symptoms often associated with
oral dryness |
| Nose: Dryness, frequent crust formation, nasal bleeding, decreased sense of smell. |
| Eyes: Dryness, burning, tingling, itchy, gritty sensations; feeling
that the lids stick together; sensitivity to light, blurred vision.
|
| Skin: Dryness; "butterfly rash" about the face; sensitivity to cold,
changes in color, especially the fingers (Raynaud's Phenomenon). |
| G.I. Tract (the Gut): Esophagitis constipation, acid reflux, problems
with swallowing. |
| Pulmonary System: Dry cough, difficulty with breathing |
| The Joints: Rheumatoid arthritis, swelling, pain, stiffness, redness.
|
| The Vagina: Dryness, itching, burning sensations, recurrent vaginal
yeast infections, difficulty with intercourse. |
| Generalized Symptoms: Fatigue, weakness, loss of weight, depression. |
The consequences of oral dryness and its associated symptoms are extensive.
Although largely not life-threatening, they may affect taste, how and what we
eat, how we see, how we smell, how we breathe, how we move about, how me make
love, how we appear to others and how we feel about ourselves. Though a chronic
condition, persistent dryness takes the pleasure out of life. And that’s
serious!
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