Stier, K. (2019). The Etiology of Xerostomia.

The Journal of Professional Excellence Dimension of

Dental Hygiene, 17 (7), 50-53.

Xerostomia is a condition that causes dry mouth and decreased salivary function. Dental

hygienists see many patients who have this condition, so it is important for them to know the

causes, symptoms, and how to offer management strategies. Xerostomia has an impact on daily

life activities including speaking, chewing, and swallowing. It has also been seen to cause an

increase in tooth decay or erosion. There are multiple causes for this condition such as

medication usage, systemic diseases, cancer/radiation treatment, lifestyle, and eating

disorders. The most common cause is due to medication use because over 500 medications

have xerostomia listed as a side effect and half of the US population has been identified to be

taking at least one or more prescription medications. Patient education is crucial when

addressing xerostomia, they should be educated on what could be causing them to have dry

mouth and what could help them increase their salivary function.

This article affects me as a dental hygiene student because once I start seeing patients

on the clinic floor, I could see patients who have this condition. From this article I learned the

many ways that xerostomia can be caused, and how to help patients who are experiencing this

condition, such as sucking on ice cubes, drinking water frequently, or sleeping with a humidifier.

I will utilize the information from this article in my future as a hygienist because I will be seeing

patients who have this condition and it will be my job to help figure out what is causing it if they

are unsure, and remedies to help control the condition. This information relates to what I have
learned about xerostomia being a condition that causes dry mouth, it just helped me

understand more of the causes and some of the additional ways to manage it.