Dry Mouth - Medtick
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Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a low (reduced) or absent saliva flow.

Saliva is needed to:

  • Provide a sense of taste by dissolving chemicals in the food and carry to taste receptors (cells which detect taste).
  • help one to speak and pronounce words.
  • Provide anti-bacterial action.
  • Help to control plague formation , caries and gum disease
  • Protect and promote healing of mouth sores and food pipe tissue.
  • Moisten the mouth
  • Is part of the initial process of digestion

Cause

  • Poor dental health
  • Smoking
  • Old age
  • Side effects from medication
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Exposed to air conditioned room
  • Medical conditions e.g. diabetes, dehydration, diarrhoea, Sjogren’s syndrome, Liver disease , sarcoidosis, , thyroid disease, HIV, Alzheimer, stroke, neurological disease.
  • Nasal obstruction
  • Tumours
  • Medication, for example: Antipsychotics (e.g. clozapine), Antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline), Antihistamines (e.g. chlorphenamine), Analgesics for neuropathic pain (e.g. nortriptyline), Opioid analgesics (e.g. codeine), Medication for cardiovascular disease (e.g. disopyramide), H2 receptor antagonists (e.g. ranitidine), Anticonvulsants (e.g. carbamazepine), Anxiolytics (e.g. benzodiazepines), Cancer treatment and/or radiotherapy especially of head and neck.

Symptoms

Does one have:

  • Dry lips?
  • Lack of moisture in mouth?
  • Unable to talk property and/or speech impediment?
  • Unable to chew or eat properly?
  • Experienced any stress or anxiety?
  • Dehydrated?
  • Burning sensation in mouth and/or soreness of tongue?
  • Smooth red tongue?
  • Inflamed tongue?
  • Cracks and/or groves appear on top and sides of tongue?
  • No saliva pool on the floor of mouth when lifting up tongue?
Existing mouth disease and/or increased dental conditions:
  • Plaque and debris in the mouth, leading to poor oral hygiene and bad breath?
  • An increased susceptibility to mouth disease and tooth loss?
  • Difficulty retaining dentures in the mouth?
  • Recurrent infections of the major salivary glands and/or an increased risk of recurrent oral infections especially oral candidiasis and angular cheilitis?
  • Taste impairment and/or dysgeusia (i.e. disordered taste, such as a reduced ability to taste or having a bad, metallic taste at all times)?
  • Difficulty in chewing and swallowing?
  • Hoarse voice?
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