A New Scale the Measures Dry Mouth

Sunday 17 June 2012 @ 9:12 pm

Dry mouth or xerostomia is a condition in which the mouth becomes unusually dry due to reduced or no saliva flow into the mouth. Now doctors working with patients who have dry mouth can easily diagnose the severity of disease and decide on treatment options using a new scale development for this purpose.

The new scale, named the Challacombe Scale, which measures the severity of dry mouth was developed through research done at the King’s College London Dental Institute under the guidance of Professor Stephen Challacombe.

Launched in September 2011, the scale is a Clinical Oral Dryness Score (CODS) and lists 10 feature of dry mouth together with images to help improve accuracy of measurement. In using the measure, one point is allocated for each feature and the total score indicates the patient’s condition. It also suggests what action should be taken as the next step.

The scale is a useful tool for all medical professionals who may have to diagnose dry mouth in their patients. It is available as a wall poster for easy reference. More information on the Challacombe Scale can be found at the Challacombe Scale website. The British Dental Journal article on the launch of the scale says that doctors can get a free copy of the Challacombe Scale poster at the above website.

Dry mouth is a common condition that can make it difficult to eat, chew and swallow food and your ability to taste and enjoy food. Speaking too may become difficult when the mouth is constantly dry. Because saliva contains enzymes that begin digestion, and prevent tooth decay by flushing the mouth of food particles, insufficient saliva flow also means your digestion and health of teeth and gums are affected by it.

Symptoms of dry mouth include burning sensations and trouble in eating—chewing swallowing, tasting—and speaking. Lack of saliva can also cause cracked lips, a dry and rough tongue, mouth sores and other oral infections.

Dry mouth is a common side effect from certain medications. Dr Pepe Shirlaw, consultant in oral medicine, who underlined the role of prescription drugs in causing xersotomia at the launch of the Challacombe Scale, says that dry mouth is a known side effect of nine of the 20 most commonly prescribed medications in the US.

Mayo Clinic website says that hundreds of medications, including some over-the-counter drugs, produce dry mouth as a side effect.

These include:

Drugs that treat anxiety and depression
High blood pressure medication
Antihistamines
Decongestants
Anti-diarrheal meds
Muscle relaxants
Drugs used for urinary incontinence
Medications for Parkinson’s disease

Says Professor Stephen Challacombe: “It is important in medicine to be able to make a decision that someone doesn’t need treatment, which actually requires a greater depth of knowledge than the decision to treat – it is not the easy option. Having a recognized scale means patients can be monitored over a period of time for the effectiveness of treatment measures or for the need for subsequent treatment.”

Do you have dry mouth? If you are unsure, consult your dentist without delay. FreeDentistFinder.com can help you find a dentist in your area. Those who have dry mouth would also find useful the FreedentistFinder.com article on 10 Ways to Relieve Dry Mouth.

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