Year : 2018

Volume : Volume 9

Issue : Issue 3

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Jazib Nazeer.
jazibNazeer@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Dry mouth is the subjective symptom of dryness of mouth. Although dry mouth is not a disease, it may herald the onset or signal the presence of a number of serious systemic diseases and condition. The study was conducted to evaluate oral manifestations associated with dry mouth, to establish relation between salivary gland function and lacrimal gland function in individuals with dry mouth and to establish the changes in composition of saliva in patients with dry mouth. Materials and methods: study involving a total of 30 adult individuals. The study group consisted of 15 adult individuals reporting with chief complaint of dry mouth. Control group consisted of 15 healthy age and gender matched individuals. Each group was further divided into five subgroups according to the age. A detailed case history was taken, the associated oral symptoms and clinical signs were recorded. The study population was subjected to dry mouth questionnaires to assess the severity of dry mouth. Sialometry was done to assess the salivary gland function by measuring unstimulated whole saliva, stimulated whole saliva and stimulated parotid saliva. Sialochemistry of collected saliva was done and concentration of salivary electrolytes and total protein was assessed. All the subjects were given ophthalmic examination to evaluate lacrimal gland function. Results and conclusion: Dry mouth is a distressing symptom affecting patients’ quality of life. It affects females more than males. Unstimulated whole saliva is the better indicator of salivary gland function. Salivary concentration of sodium, chloride and total protein is higher in patients with dry mouth. Multiglandular hypofunction may be phenomenon coexisting with dry mouth which often goes undiagnosed.

Keywords: Dry Mouth, Sialometry, Sialochemistry, Salivary gland hypofunction, Stimulated parotid saliva.