Xerostomia is a feeling of dryness in the mouth. It may be associated with changes in the salivary composition and/or salivary hypofunction. About 30% of people report such complaints. It more often affects women and elderly patients. People with dryness have multiple clinical manifestations such as difficulty swallowing, chewing, or speaking and may complain of burning in the mouth, bad breath, altered taste, dry mucosa, glossitis, cracked and peeling lips, oral candidiasis, and dental caries despite good oral hygiene. Xerostomia can often lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of life. Because of the variety of symptoms, dry mouth is an often-neglected condition that can lead to serious consequences for an individual's oral and overall health.
The methods for evaluating xerostomia include, first of all, anamnesis, after a targeted search for its main cause—most often, medication intake. A clinical examination can be of great help, as can various additional studies such as sialometry (the determination of salivary flow under different conditions). Other tests that may be helpful are imaging techniques such as sialography, scintigraphy, biopsy, ultrasound, radiography, and an oral moisture check.
Early recognition of symptoms as well as good knowledge of the causes and diagnostic methods of this condition are essential for its proper treatment and optimizing the quality of life of those affected.
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