| Xerostomia (Dry Mouth) |
XEROSTOMIA (DRY MOUTH)
Patients in long term care facilities are prescribed an average of eight drugs
including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. At least one of the
medications used will have an oral side effect—usually dry mouth (Xerostomia).
One of the most common causes of Xerostomia in the elderly is this side-effect of
the medication.
Emotional disturbances such as depression or anxiety are commonly seen in the
elderly and these disturbances and/or their treatment result in a dry mouth. The
most chronic illness affecting elderly people is cardiovascular disease. Numerous
patients will be taking diuretics or anti-hypertensives, many of which cause
Xerostomia.
Effects of Xerostomia
• Soreness of the gums under removable partial dentures and
complete dentures.
• The Saliva is thick and frothy.
• The Mucosa (cheeks) may appear red, fissured and ulcerated.
• Bacterial plaque accumulates as the pH of the saliva drops which
increases the incidence of tooth decay.
• The Difficulty in talking and eating as the dry mucosa adheres to
itself.
• Tongue becomes coated and the resident experiences Halitosis.
Patients in long term care facilities are prescribed an average of eight drugs
including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. At least one of the
medications used will have an oral side effect—usually dry mouth (Xerostomia).
One of the most common causes of Xerostomia in the elderly is this side-effect of
the medication.
Emotional disturbances such as depression or anxiety are commonly seen in the
elderly and these disturbances and/or their treatment result in a dry mouth. The
most chronic illness affecting elderly people is cardiovascular disease. Numerous
patients will be taking diuretics or anti-hypertensives, many of which cause
Xerostomia.
Effects of Xerostomia
• Soreness of the gums under removable partial dentures and
complete dentures.
• The Saliva is thick and frothy.
• The Mucosa (cheeks) may appear red, fissured and ulcerated.
• Bacterial plaque accumulates as the pH of the saliva drops which
increases the incidence of tooth decay.
• The Difficulty in talking and eating as the dry mucosa adheres to
itself.
• Tongue becomes coated and the resident experiences Halitosis.
Xerostomia Management
1. Assessment of the underlying cause. For example: If the resident has
Diabetes, tooth decay and gum disease may become rampant. Discuss
with the Physician about his recommendations on altering the
prescribed medications.
2. If the cause cannot be identified or if the resident has lost the ability to
produce saliva ( For example- Radiation therapy ), then:
• Avoid dry, spicy or acidic foods
• Avoid Alcohol and Smoking
• Avoid Caffeinated beverages due to the diuretic effect.
• Take plenty of fluids to maintain good hydration.
• Avoid sugary foods due to the increase susceptibility to tooth decay.
• Swish, Brush, Swish with “THE ANSWER”.
• Swish with an oral solution such as “THE ANSWER” three to four times
daily to lubricate the tissues and help to maintain the pH of the oral fluids.
1. Assessment of the underlying cause. For example: If the resident has
Diabetes, tooth decay and gum disease may become rampant. Discuss
with the Physician about his recommendations on altering the
prescribed medications.
2. If the cause cannot be identified or if the resident has lost the ability to
produce saliva ( For example- Radiation therapy ), then:
• Avoid dry, spicy or acidic foods
• Avoid Alcohol and Smoking
• Avoid Caffeinated beverages due to the diuretic effect.
• Take plenty of fluids to maintain good hydration.
• Avoid sugary foods due to the increase susceptibility to tooth decay.
• Swish, Brush, Swish with “THE ANSWER”.
• Swish with an oral solution such as “THE ANSWER” three to four times
daily to lubricate the tissues and help to maintain the pH of the oral fluids.
| Same Patient’s Mouth Three months later |
REFERENCES :
• Medical Microbiology 1994, Mosby
• Peridontology 1994, Thieme Publishing,
• Atlas of Diseases of The Oral Mucosa, Pinburg, J.B. Saunders
• Internal Medicine For Dentistry, Louis F. Rose, D.D.S.,M.D.,
Donald Kaye, M.D, The C. V. Mosby Company.
• Orban’s Periodontics, A Concept-Theory and Practice,
Daniel Grant, D.D.S., Irving B. Stern, D.D.S., Frank Everet, D.M.D., M.D.,
The C.V. Mosby Company
• Medical Microbiology 1994, Mosby
• Peridontology 1994, Thieme Publishing,
• Atlas of Diseases of The Oral Mucosa, Pinburg, J.B. Saunders
• Internal Medicine For Dentistry, Louis F. Rose, D.D.S.,M.D.,
Donald Kaye, M.D, The C. V. Mosby Company.
• Orban’s Periodontics, A Concept-Theory and Practice,
Daniel Grant, D.D.S., Irving B. Stern, D.D.S., Frank Everet, D.M.D., M.D.,
The C.V. Mosby Company
| The Cloonan Corporation |
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