Xerostomia – a dry subject
1/21/2005 Malden, MA Dr. David Leader Malden Observer on Townline.com People do not usually go to the dentist complaining that their mouth is dry or that they are always thirsty. However, many patients note the sudden appearance of stains, cavities or even thrush, a fungal infection, that herald the development of xerostomia or dry mouth. Xerostomia is the lessening or lack of saliva. It may be the side effect of medication, radiation treatment or the autoimmune disease Sjögren's syndrome. Smoking and alcohol make the effects of dryness much worse. While easy to diagnose, xerostomia is not easy to correct. Usually, the best treatment a patient can get is advice from your dentist or hygienist on how to decrease the serious and irritating side effects of dry mouth. The absence of saliva is the primary cause of the deleterious effects of xerostomia. Saliva is a complex solution of water, proteins and buffering agents that work together to fight disease and maintain the health of teeth and gums. Saliva contains components of the immune system that fight bacteria. Other proteins clean teeth and make bacteria less able to adhere to teeth. Calcium in saliva hardens teeth that are weak due to exposure to acid from food, drink and decay causing bacteria. There are even enzymes and lubricants in saliva that begin digestion of food before swallowing. Saliva does so many things; loss of saliva is very hard to treat. Often, the first noticeable symptom of xerostomia is difficulty swallowing. This is due [...]