Cracks on the lips can be a consequence of xerostomia

Dry mouth (xerostomia) remains an urgent problem in modern dentistry. It can cause the appearance of lips covered with dry crusts, cause inflammation and ulceration of the oral mucosa with the addition of a secondary infection, incl. fungal and viral.

To keep the mouth clean and moist, saliva is needed to perform important functions such as protecting against cavities, aiding in the digestion of food, controlling bacterial levels in the mouth to prevent infection, and aiding in chewing and swallowing. Insufficient production of it leads to the appearance of dryness of the mucous membrane and a state of discomfort. Dryness of the oral mucosa, caused by a decrease or cessation of the secretion of the salivary glands, is called xerostomia.

Causes of dry mouth

There are many reasons for xerostomia. The most frequent of them – taking medications, radiation therapy, constant stress, elderly and senile age, menopause, systemic diseases. Today, more than 400 drugs are known that have the ability to cause dryness and induce hypofunction of the salivary glands. Among them: anticholinergic, anorexigenic and antihistamines, antidepressants, psychotropic and antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, etc. The use of toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate – can lead to a decrease in salivation. the substance used to form the foam.

Manifestations of xerostomia

With chronic dryness of the oral mucosa, it is difficult for a person to speak, chew, swallow. Often the sense of taste is disturbed, there is pain from spicy and hard food, there is a burning sensation, a feeling of roughness of the mucous membrane. As a result of the decrease in the amount of saliva, a mature biofilm is formed faster. The latter leads to enamel demineralization and the development of caries, and also contributes to the appearance of inflammatory periodontal diseases. In especially severe cases, symptoms such as lips covered with dry crusts are noted, inflammation and ulceration of the oral mucosa are noted, a secondary infection may join, incl. fungal and viral, it becomes impossible to speak due to excessive dryness of the mouth, swallow food without drinking it with liquid. The lips of such patients are dry,

Microtrauma is a very common consequence of dryness of the oral mucosa. The mucous membrane of the mouth becomes thinner, becomes rough, and any microdamage can provoke inflammation. The causes of microtraumas can be the sharp edge of the tooth when it is affected by caries or the wrong position in the dentition, orthodontic constructions and bad habits (habitual biting of the mucous membrane) and even injury to solid food. Very often, the gum mucosa is injured when brushing your teeth. There is a so-called vicious circle – correct brushing of teeth is difficult due to pain, the amount of mature biofilm increases, inflammation intensifies.

Treatment and prevention of dry mouth 

Prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa resulting from dryness of the oral mucosa due to insufficient salivation should be based on the exclusion of traumatic factors, moisturizing the mucous membrane and timely local anti-inflammatory therapy.

Soft toothbrushes and a gentle brushing technique should be recommended to prevent gingival margin injury in such patients – Bass technique. If it is performed correctly, plaque is removed not only from the surface of the tooth, but also from the dentogingival pocket and interdental spaces. All measures to normalize oral hygiene should be carried out against the background of the use of saliva substitutes. Today, to combat dry mouth, there are a huge number of products that moisturize the mucous membrane and alleviate the condition of patients: for example, KinHidrat moisturizing oral spray, which helps restore saliva balance and has a moisturizing effect. Its daily use, as the feeling of dryness occurs, prevents the occurrence of diseases of the oral cavity associated with a decrease in salivation.

In the event of inflammatory changes in the periodontium associated with trauma during brushing, patients with dry mouth are prescribed a complex of agents with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial components.

Patients with dry mouth should use saliva substitutes, use atraumatic tooth brushing, and use a soft toothbrush. The inclusion of drugs with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial components in the complex of therapeutic and preventive measures makes it possible to stop inflammatory changes in the oral mucosa and eliminate pain when brushing your teeth.

According to pharmateca.ru