Dry Mouth: Diagnosis
Screening for Dry Mouth
Proactive screening for Dry Mouth should be incorporated into routine clinical practice by identification of those at risk or with symptoms through:2,7
- Medical History
- Drug history
- Subjective questioning on Dry Mouth symptoms
- Clinical examination for oral signs
Typical signs of xerostomia the dental professional may identify include8:
- Dental mirror sticks to the tongue or buccal mucosa
- No saliva pooling
- Cervical caries
- Frothy saliva
- Altered gingival architecture (not only related to Dry Mouth)
Who is at risk?
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Women
Dry mouth is more prevalent in women than in men1
-
The elderly
Dry mouth is more prevalent in the elderly population due to increased use of medication and susceptibility to disease*2,3
*This is more likely due to increased use of medication and susceptibility to disease rather than a feature of ageing2
Questions to identify Dry Mouth
If your patients’ medication has changed recently, this one question could identify 54% of all Dry Mouth Sufferers with salivary gland hypofunction9
Does your mouth usually feel dry?
These 3 additional questions could identify 75% of all Dry Mouth sufferers10
- Do you regularly do things to keep your mouth moist?
- Do you get out of bed at night to drink fluids?
- Does your mouth usually become dry when you speak?
These clinically validated questions can help uncover Dry Mouth9
Examination
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Intraoral mirror sticking to the buccal mucosa or tongue5
-
Frothy saliva5
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The group most at risk of impaired dental health from dry mouth are patients with dentures taking concomitant medications4
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Loss of tongue papillae5
-
Altered/smooth gingival architecture5
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Glassy appearance to mucosa, especially the palate5
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Tongue is lobulated/deeply fissured5
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Cervical caries (>2 teeth) and/or mucosal debris on palate (except under dentures)5
Diagnostic tests
The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs outlines three diagnostic tests that you can use to support a dry mouth diagnosis6
| Diagnostic tests | |
| Salivary flow measurement | Periodic evaluation of salivary flow rate that provides a tool for monitoring dry mouth symptoms |
| Blood tests | Biomarker testing for when dry mouth is suspected to be related to systemic disease |
| Biopsy | Minor salivary gland biopsy can be used to identify any underlying pathological changes associated with dysfunction |
Offer your Dry Mouth patients a solution that suits their different needs, around the clock10*
*With a daily Dry Mouth routine
Impact on patient quality of life
Find out about the impact that dry mouth has on patients’ daily lives
