Cassolato Sandra F, Turnbull Robert S
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward Street, Toronto, Canada M5G 1G6.
Gerodontology. 2003 Dec;20(2):64-77. doi: 10.1111/j.1741-2358.2003.00064.x.
Xerostomia or dry mouth is a condition that is frequently encountered in dental practice. The most common cause is the use of certain systemic medications, which make the elderly at greater risk because they are usually more medicated. Other causes include high doses of radiation and certain diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome. Xerostomia is associated with difficulties in chewing, swallowing, tasting or speaking. This results in poor diet, malnutrition and decreased social interaction. Xerostomia can cause oral discomfort, especially for denture wearers. Patients are at increased risk of developing dental caries. A thorough intraoral and extra-oral clinical examination is important for diagnosis. Treatment may include the use of salivary substitutes (Biotene), salivary stimulants such as pilocarpine, ongoing dental care, caries prevention, a review of the current prescription drug regimen and possible elimination of drugs having anticholinergic effects. Because of the ageing population, and the concomitant increase in medicated individuals, dentists can expect to be presented with xerostomia in an increasing number of patients in the coming years and therefore should be familiar with its diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to outline for clinicians the common aetiologies, clinical identification, and routine therapeutic modalities available for individuals with xerostomia.
口干症或口腔干燥是牙科实践中经常遇到的一种情况。最常见的原因是使用某些全身性药物，这使得老年人面临更大风险，因为他们通常用药更多。其他原因包括高剂量辐射和某些疾病，如干燥综合征。口干症与咀嚼、吞咽、味觉或说话困难有关。这会导致饮食不佳、营养不良和社交互动减少。口干症会引起口腔不适，尤其是对佩戴假牙的人来说。患者患龋齿的风险增加。全面的口内和口外临床检查对诊断很重要。治疗可能包括使用唾液替代品（保丽净）、毛果芸香碱等唾液刺激剂、持续的牙科护理、预防龋齿、审查当前的处方药方案以及可能停用具有抗胆碱能作用的药物。由于人口老龄化以及用药个体的相应增加，预计未来几年牙医会遇到越来越多患有口干症的患者，因此应该熟悉其诊断和治疗方法。因此，本综述的目的是为临床医生概述口干症患者常见的病因、临床识别方法和常规治疗方式。
