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File: www-apacare-com-expert-tips-tips-for-dry-mouth-main-navigation-menu-65586-2214.txt
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What else can be done
After a detailed medical history (questioning the patient about their state of health, medication, general illnesses, course of symptoms, etc.) and a thorough examination of the patient with a particular focus on the oral cavity and salivary glands, the stimulated salivary flow rate is usually determined. If the suspicion is confirmed, further examinations such as laboratory diagnostics, blood tests, sonography (ultrasound examination) of the salivary glands, endoscopic examinations of the salivary ducts, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, scintigraphy, if necessary with contrast medium, can be carried out to narrow down the cause. In rare cases, a sample is taken from the salivary gland (biopsy). In addition, an interdisciplinary diagnosis or therapy may be necessary, involving hormone specialists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists or psychologists.
Saliva substitutes are often the last resort in very severe cases of dry mouth in order to form a film on the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat and thus facilitate speaking, eating and swallowing
.
Living with dry mouth
Saliva substitutes consist of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC), carboxyethylcellulose (CEC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), animal mucin, linseed oil, sorbitol or polyethylene oxide (PEO), among others. Enzymes and substances to adjust the pH value and viscosity are also added to many saliva substitutes. To prevent caries in dentate patients, pH-neutral saliva substitutes that contain fluoride and are supersaturated with calcium and phosphate should be recommended wherever possible. Butter and wetting the mucous membranes with edible oils are also helpful. Despite all these substances, no substitute preparation has yet been found that can replace human saliva. Unfortunately, many forms of dry mouth still cannot really be treated in a cause-specific manner and the affected patient has to live with dry mouth.
As the relief of symptoms with the above-mentioned therapeutic approaches is perceived differently from person to person, it is recommended that the affected person tries out different measures to find the best one for them individually
.