Simply Science - Dry mouth

This questionnaire-based study provides a lot of useful information on the awareness among dentists and dental hygienists regarding saliva functions, causes and complications of dry mouth, and patient management.

Participants 

A digital survey consisting of 32 questions was distributed to 2,668 dentists and dental hygienists working in general practice within the public dental health sector across five counties in Sweden. The survey achieved a response rate of 18.6%.

Does this mean these dental professionals meet very few patients with dry mouth, or did they just forget to ask their patients about dry mouth?  

Dental hygienists stated they met patients with dry mouth more often compared to dentists. They also asked more people in lower age groups about dry mouth, significantly more compared to dentists. Recent studies have shown dry mouth to be a problem in all age groups, not only among older adults. 

Providing information and advice to patients with dry mouth 

Gladly, 98.4 % of the dental professionals said they always or often inform patients with dry mouth verbally. More than 50% of the respondents hand out written information with recommended products to ease dry mouth symptoms.   

The three most common recommendations were saliva-stimulating products, good oral hygiene, and extra fluoride. Other recommendations included lubrication with oil and a diet that encourages chewing.  

Awareness 

All but one dental professional was aware that a dry mouth increases the risk of caries. There was also high awareness regarding other complications such as speech difficulties, impact on general health, and effect on quality of life and well-being. Fewer knew that oral dryness could lead to nutritional deficiency. The study also shows that experience matters since dental professionals with more than 10 years of experience more often measured saliva secretion, recommended more preventive care, and had more knowledge about factors associated with oral dryness.

1. Make it a habit to ask all patients if they are experiencing dry mouth. Remember, also a lot of younger people suffer from dry mouth.  
2. Provide information in different ways. For most, written information is needed as a supplement to verbal information. You can also direct your patients to our Tips and Advice page about dry mouth.
3. Have different products at the clinic that the patient can try. It doesn’t take long  ̶  let them try out a mouthwash while you are picking out instruments for scaling, for example. See if our Hydrating Products can be a fit for your clinic. 

Why not brew up some good conversation over your next cup of coffee? Let's spill the beans on spotting oral dryness and sip on solutions to prevent complications and improve our patients' quality of life. A little caffeine and collaboration can go a long way!

Reference: Dental care professionals’ awareness of oral dryness and its clinical management: a questionnaire-based study. Amela Fisic et al. BMC Oral health, 2024. Find the article here.