Different Diagnostic Methods for Oral Dryness

Oral dryness is a complex condition expressed as a physiological deficiency with or without perceived dysfunction. Clinically oral dryness may vary from a slight reduction in salivary flow with transient inconvenience to severe impairment of oral health and concomitant psychological disposition. Saliva is vital to oral health. Saliva serves multiple functions including taste lubrication and protection during eating. Saliva contains water mucins and proline-rich glycoproteins that help with swallowing and taste perception. Saliva protects by washing away microorganisms containing antimicrobial components such as mucin histatins lysozyme and lactoferrin and containing specific antibodies to microorganisms encountered. The aim focusing on perceived oral dryness associated with eating was highly indicative of salivary performance whilst the most commonly heard complaints such as perceived oral dryness at night and during the day had no significant correlation with reduced salivary flow rate. This library dissertation aims to evaluate the quality of the evidence for the efficacy of diagnostic methods used to identify oral dryness.