Assessing Xerostomia Risk in Young Patients

By Melanie V. Taverna, MSDH, MAADH and Rahma Mungia, BDS, MSc, DDPHRCS

Dry mouth is the subjective sensation of xerostomia, a well recognized occurrence in adults. Associated with plaque buildup, caries, gingivitis, and periodontal diseases, dry mouth is often underreported by patients and underrecognized by practitioners. Xerostomia receives relatively little attention among young adults and is only now being seriously considered as important in children. Children at elevated risk for xerostomia often have medical conditions affecting salivary production, take medications with xerostomic adverse effects, and engage in school and extracurricular activities in which dehydration is likely. 

* References can be found in the original article via the link below.
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