Abstract

DE LUCA MONASTERIOS, F.M.  and  ROSELLO LLABRES, X.. Etiopathogenesis and diagnosis of dry mouth. Av Odontoestomatol [online]. 2014, vol.30, n.3, pp.121-128. ISSN 2340-3152.

Saliva is essential to maintain balance in the mouth. Its absence or changes in its characteristics represent an important health problem. Production is due to conditioned reflexes, the nature of the stimulus and response according to the gland. The components of saliva are of great importance since it has many functions, including: forming and lubricate the food bolus for deglutition, improve taste, starts digestion, prevents erosion of mucous, lubrication, improves the ability to speak, prevent dehydration of the epithelial cells and taste receptors, bacterial balance maintained, and an effect of dental remineralization. Xerostomia is caused by decreased or absent salivary secretion under resting conditions, however by itself is not a disease but a symptom, does not seem to be directly related to age, but to diseases or drugs that are usually given in that stage of life. Some authors have shown that xerostomia is a major predictor of unintentional weight loss in the elderly, and nutritional deficits, which causes impairment of the function of the salivary glands, which affects the teeth with the consequence premature edentulism and deteriorating health, creating a vicious circle. Of the various oral diseases affecting the population of xerostomia is second only to burning mouth syndrome. The causes are multiple, included in three groups: organic, pharmacological and functional. Or irreversible; (anxiety, acute infection in the salivary glands, dehydration or side effect of some medications) are also divided into reversible causes, if the cause is chronic, leading to a permanent dry mouth (congenital anomalies, autoimmune diseases, infectious, rheumatologic, menopause, radiation, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, Alzheimer's, AIDS, substance abuse). Diagnosis of hypofunction is based on data derived from the symptoms reported by the patient, highlighting the need for a comprehensive medical history, exploration by a finding of clinical signs, measurement of salivary flow quantitative sialometry and additional tests as appropriate. Therefore worth highlighting the importance in the determination of glandular involvement (reversible or not), early in time, and the introduction of preventive measures, so patients would have a better prognosis and maintaining your quality of life.

Keywords : Saliva; functions; dry mouth; xerostomia; causes; etiopathogenesis; diagnosis; additional tests.

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