Is visual inspection a suitable method for assessing oral dryness?

Dry mouth sounds fairly innocuous, however, this often uncomfortable condition can cause its sufferers big problems. Saliva is of vital importance in maintaining good oral health. A lack of it can lead to problems with speech, eating and swallowing and can also increase an individuals’ risk of dental caries and oral inflammation. The main causes of dry mouth include, medications (such as antidepressants or antihypertensives), systemic disorders (such as Sjogren's syndrome) and head and neck radiotherapy.

However, the perception of oral dryness (known as xerostomia) is very subjective and varies on the individual. Some patients with a reduction in saliva secretion (hyposalivation) report no symptoms of dryness, while others with ‘normal’ saliva secretion rates suffer from xerostomia. Regular readers of Dental Nursing will recall the article ‘Caring for patients with dry mouth’ (found in our June edition) which discussed the important role of the dental nurse in the recognition and treatment of this condition. However, although patients can tell us if they are suffering from xerostomia, it can be more difficult for dental care professionals to identify the presence of hyposalivation in everyday dental practice.