\u2013 Burning sensation and pain in the tongue.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Problems with chewing and swallowing.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Headquarters.<\/p>\n
Difficulty speaking.<\/p>\n
Bad breath.<\/p>\n
Periodontal disease.<\/p>\n
Cavities.<\/p>\n
- Problems with fitting removable dentures.<\/p>\n
Infections.<\/p>\n
There are various causes for the appearance of Xerostomia. Among these, we can mention a few:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Disorders of the salivary glands, originating from the obstruction of saliva release ducts.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Excessive and regular consumption of alcoholic beverages affects saliva production.<\/p>\n
Medications such as antidepressants, antihypertensives, muscle relaxants, among others, tend to affect the amount of saliva produced.<\/p>\n
Cancer patients can suffer from dry mouth due to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, especially those suffering from head or neck cancer.<\/p>\n
\u2013 Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome, tend to affect the salivary glands.<\/p>\n
The absence of teeth leads to a decrease in oral stimuli and, consequently, a reduced production of saliva.<\/p>\n
An unbalanced diet, with excess carbohydrates and a deficit of fruit and vegetables, can cause changes in saliva production.<\/p>\n
![\"Xerostomia](\"https:\/\/drpedrocoelho.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/foto2-1.jpg\")
Types of Xerostomia<\/h2>\n
Dry mouth syndrome is classified into two types, taking into account the level of glandular activity.<\/p>\n
Reversible xerostomia<\/h3>\n
Caused by taking medication, smoking, and cancer drugs that reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth.<\/p>\n
Oral moisture can be restored by stimulating saliva secretion.<\/p>\n
2. Irreversible xerostomia<\/h3>\n
This occurs when there is irreparable damage at a glandular level that prevents its functioning. It can be found in patients with Sj\u00f6gren's syndrome, or patients with head and neck cancer who receive high doses of radiation as treatment.<\/p>\n
A xerostomia \u00e9 diagnosticada atrav\u00e9s de um exame cl\u00ednico, onde o m\u00e9dico ou dentista avalia os sinais e sintomas apresentados pelo paciente.<\/h2>\n
When a patient presents with this condition, the Dentist suggests carrying out various tests to confirm the syndrome.<\/p>\n
During observation, attention is paid to the oral mucosa, looking for loss of shine or paleness, and if the tongue presents fissures. It is also possible for the patient to have oral candidiasis, mouth ulcers, cavities, as well as pharyngitis, laryngitis, among other infections, due to a lack of saliva.<\/p>\n
With regard to examinations, a measurement of saliva levels, salivary gland biopsy (this way, the presence of inflammation or destruction of glandular tissue is observed), ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography are generally carried out.<\/p>\n
In addition to confirming the diagnosis, these procedures allow the Dentist to understand the cause of this condition, should the patient not be taking medication for other treatments at that time.<\/p>\n
Treatment of Xerostomia<\/h2>\n
There are various ways to treat dry mouth syndrome, in order to restore saliva production and moisture in the oral cavity.<\/p>\n
First and foremost, the Dentist must first assess whether the Xerostomia is reversible or not, in order to indicate the appropriate treatment. When the condition is caused by the intake of certain medications, a change, reduction, or cessation of these drugs can be planned.<\/p>\n
It is also important to consider that psychological factors are increasingly frequent in the onset of xerostomia, particularly chronic anxiety and excessive stress.<\/p>\n
When xerostomia is reversible, certain types of medications are prescribed to keep the mouth moist, or even gel saliva substitutes to help hydrate the mucosa.<\/p>\n
It is possible to try to stimulate salivary secretion by eating foods that require more energetic chewing, such as carrots, for example.<\/p>\n
Drinking a larger amount of water during meals, chewing sugar-free gum, among others.<\/p>\n