dry mouth

dry mouth n XEROSTOMIA

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a condition that occurs as a result of reduced salivary flow from a variety of causes, including Sjögren's syndrome, connective tissue diseases, diabetes, excision or absence of a major salivary gland, or radiotherapy to the head that destroys the salivary glands. It causes swallowing and speech difficulties, inflamed gums and teeth, an increased incidence of dental caries, and loss of denture stability in people who have lost their teeth. Patients with their own teeth should be given sugar-free nonacidic saliva substitutes, strict dietary advice, and chlorhexidine mouthwashes; they require special monitoring by their dentist. Medical name: xerostomia.

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xerostomia.