The management of xerostomia is very difficult. It all depends on the cause of the condition. The treatment steps are only meant to ease or eliminate the symptoms, but in most cases, they will not cure the condition. Patients are prescribed with medication that stimulates the salivary flow. They are also encouraged to chew gums. Patients will take saliva substitutes to ease all the symptoms and dryness. They are advised to have a high level of oral hygiene and visit the dentist more often. Dentists usually collaborate with other doctors who treat the primary condition.
Causes:
The causes range from an elderly age to medicaments. As we age, our salivary glands age too. The age-related dry mouth is usually connected with medication. A number of pills that elderly people take can lead to xerostomia. Among them are antidepressants, antipsychotics, diuretics, bronchodilators are just a part of the medication groups that lead to a dry mouth. There are several autoimmune diseases that are accompanied with xerostomia. The Sjogren Syndrome is one of those and affects several types of glands in the body. Smoking and alcohol appear as common causes of this condition. Salivary acute and chronical infections do present with a lower salivary flow. Patients who undergo radiation therapy can experience xerostomia. Other causes include hormonal conditions, autoimmune diseases, Hepatitis and more.