Dry Mouth Diagnosis
Diagnosing Dry Mouth
Proactive screening for Dry Mouth can be simply incorporated into routine clinical practice by identification of those at risk or with symptoms through:1,2
- Medical History
- Medication history
- Subjective questioning on Dry Mouth symptoms
- Clinical examination for oral signs
Typical signs of xerostomia the dental professional may identify include:3
- Dental mirror sticks to the tongue or buccal mucosa
- No saliva pooling
- Cervical caries
- Frothy saliva
- Altered and or smooth gingival tissues within the oral cavity
Who is at risk?
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Women
Dry Mouth is more prevalent in women than in men4
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The elderly
Dry Mouth is more prevalent in the elderly population due to increased use of medication and susceptibility to disease*2,5
*This is more likely due to increased use of medication and susceptibility to disease rather than a feature of ageing2,5
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Denture wearers
Xerostomia can cause denture wearing to be very uncomfortable and exacerbate chewing difficulties5
Questions to Diagnose Dry Mouth
This one question could help identify Dry Mouth sufferers6
Does your mouth usually feel dry?
These 3 additional questions could help identify Dry Mouth sufferers6
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 Mouth
Examination
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Intraoral mirror sticking to the buccal mucosa or tongue3
Images supplied by Prof. Challacombe, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London
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Frothy saliva3
Images supplied by Prof. Challacombe, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London
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No saliva pooling in the floor of the mouth3
Images supplied by Prof. Challacombe, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London
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Loss of tongue papillae3
Images supplied by Prof. Challacombe, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London
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Altered/smooth gingival architecture3
Images supplied by Prof. Challacombe, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London
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Glassy appearance to mucosa, especially the palate3
Images supplied by Prof. Challacombe, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London
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Tongue is lobulated/deeply fissured3
Images supplied by Prof. Challacombe, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London
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Cervical caries (>2 teeth) and/or mucosal debris on palate (except under dentures)3
Images supplied by Prof. Challacombe, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London
Diagnostic tests
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 and can provide a tool to monitor salivary gland function |
| Blood tests | Laboratory tests, such as complete blood count tests may be useful 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 salivary gland dysfunction |
Offer your Dry Mouth patients a solution that suits their different needs, around the clock*
*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.
