Dry mouth: Diagnosis
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Diagnosing dry mouth
Useful tools to help you recognise reduced saliva flow and dry mouth in patients
Who is at risk?
History taking
If you suspect a patient is suffering from dry mouth, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs has highlighted four questions for which a positive answer is associated with salivary hypofunction:5,7
- Does the amount of saliva in your mouth seem too little?
- Does your mouth feel dry when eating a meal?
- Do you sip liquids to aid in swallowing dry food?
- Do you have difficulty swallowing?
Diagnostic tests for dry mouth symptoms
The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs outlines three diagnostic tests that you can use to support a dry mouth diagnosis7
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 |
Biopsy | Minor salivary gland biopsy can be used to identify any underlying pathological changes associated with dysfunction |
ADA Council on Scientific Affairs xerostomia guidelines
For more oral care advice, visit the educational sources on our Learning Lab.
Offer your dry mouth patients a solution that suits their different needs, both day and night
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Impact on patient quality of life
Find out about the impact that dry mouth has on patients’ daily lives
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