What is xerostomia?
Xerostomia is a condition of constant dryness of the mouth associated with a low degree of salivation. This condition manifests itself in the feeling of a slight taste of metal at the root of the tongue, exacerbation or, conversely, dullness of taste buds, difficulty in the processes of speech, swallowing and chewing, dryness and burning in the mouth, throat and even on the tongue.
Xerostomia appears either with a decrease in the level of salivation by salivation glands, or with a complete cessation of their work. And although dry mouth in itself is not a disease, with its constant presence, experts strongly recommend undergoing a comprehensive study. For all its seeming harmlessness, xerostomia is a symptom of many of the most dangerous diseases for humans, and only timely identification of its cause can prevent them.
Stages of xerostomia
In the initial stages, xerostomia makes itself felt only after uttering long speeches, since the salivation glands secrete a sufficient amount of saliva. In this case, the oral cavity remains moist, and the saliva slightly foams.
Then comes the turn of the next stage, which is already characterized by some decompensation. In this case, dry mouth persists constantly, and speech and chewing-swallowing processes cause certain difficulties. At this stage, the patient, as a rule, consumes liquid during meals, since xerostomia makes itself felt at the time of the meal. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity has not a strong degree of moisture, a pale pink hue, slightly shiny.
The final stage is accompanied by the absolute cessation of the salivary glands. Patients in such cases report acute dry mouth and excruciating pain when talking and eating food, suppuration, and an unpleasant smell of their own breath. Ulcers and erosions appear on the mucosa, constant thirst, the skin of the lips dries and cracks, and caries often reaches terrifying proportions.
At this stage, the risk of angina increases many times, which, as a rule, is the main cause of problems with speech processes. This stage of xerostomia is noticeable by the bright shade of the patient's tongue, the deplorable state of the corners of the lips and the ongoing dryness in the nasal passages. Patients using removable dentures report difficulties in their operation and frequent damage to the oral cavity.
Causes of xerostomia
In most cases, dry mouth is not self-limiting and is just one of the symptoms of an underlying disease such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, HIV, Shane's syndrome, dorsalis dorsi, iron deficiency anemia, mumps, hypertension, cystic fibrosis, and many other human diseases. ailments.
Xerostomia can be an adjunctive effect of medication or certain treatments. Autoimmune disorders can also be the cause of the disease.
For a better understanding of this phenomenon, it is worth saying that, by its very definition, saliva is a substance that promotes the processes of swallowing and chewing, and also protects tooth enamel from the harmful effects of microbes. It is impossible not to mention that saliva has antibacterial (anti-inflammatory) properties. The elements that are present in it have a positive effect on the condition of the teeth: they contribute to the remineralization of enamel, and also help to neutralize alkalis and acids that come with food.
Often, elderly people suffer from dry mouth, because it is they who have to take a huge amount of drugs, and sometimes use drugs from different pharmacological groups, which only exacerbates the degree of xerostomia. Also, older people often suffer from weakness of the jaw muscles, which indirectly leads to dryness, since the mouth is constantly open during sleep.
Dehydration of the body of any kind can cause xerostomia, however, only of a short duration. This dry mouth can often be caused by burns, insufficient fluid intake, vomiting and diarrhea, and blood loss.
Radiation therapy is almost guaranteed to lead to xerostomia, dry mouth persists even after treatment. Xerostomia of particular intensity occurs after radiation therapy of the head and neck.
There are also cases when dry mouth is associated with the surgical removal of the salivary glands. In this case, the only way to get rid of it is to artificially moisten the oral cavity.
The risk of xerostomia increases dramatically if a person has atrophy of the glands that produce saliva, Mikulich's disease, or sialadenitis. Sometimes dry mouth can be associated with a deviated septum, impaired nasal breathing, and other ailments in this area of the body.
As we can see, xerostomia is not always caused by pathologies. Unreasonably frequent rinsing of the mouth with strong disinfectants can lead to atrophy of the salivary glands, and, consequently, to xerostomia.
Ways to treat the disease
The very likelihood of curing dry mouth depends on the possibility of getting rid of the disease that causes xerostomia. There is symptomatic therapy, which includes treatment with galantamine, physiotherapy, pilocarpine, potassium iodide, and novocaine blockades. However, this type of therapy does not solve the problem at all, but only alleviates the suffering of the patient, which is why it is especially important for the dentist to establish the cause of this disease.
Unfortunately, after undergoing a course of radiation therapy, getting rid of xerostomia is almost impossible, since radiation, as a rule, pathologically reduces the intensity of the salivary glands. But dryness - xerostomia caused by medication, as a rule, is corrected by a specialist without much difficulty.
When a patient complains of xerostomia, a survey is conducted about taking medications, sialography and ultrasound of the salivary glands. In most cases, the patient is prescribed lubrication of the oral cavity with a solution of vitamin A, because it promotes both the healing of the mucosa and the elimination of the disease.
At all stages of xerostomia, patients are recommended to constantly consume non-carbonated mineral water in small portions. Sugar-free gum or sucking candy can help increase the intensity of the glands involved in the production of saliva, so they are also often recommended.
Dentists strongly advise against eating dry, salty and sugary foods, as well as drinks containing caffeine and alcohol. Also, patients should give up cigarettes and use a toothbrush with the softest possible coating.
Consequences of xerostomia
Due to the fact that the disease is the result of reduced salivation, the likelihood of suppuration increases several times, and it is not difficult for infectious diseases of soft tissues to take root in the oral cavity. This disease is also characterized by dryness of the nasal passages and skin of the lips, total caries and frequent sore throats.
