Dry mouth gives poorer quality of life

Severe dry mouth can lead to a significantly impaired quality of life. Dry mouth can occur after cancer treatment, as a side effect of medication and by certain diseases. Patients with severe dry mouth often find that the natural teeth are attacked by an aggressive form of caries that can cause your teeth crumbling away. For individuals, the situation is exacerbated further by the use of conventional dentures is an impossibility because of very delicate mucous membranes. Three dentists, each with a specialized focus on the mouth at the Dental Association Semester Course 2010

Medicine Nest patients, patients who have been in chemo-or radiotherapy and patients with Sjögren's syndrome often suffer from pronounced dry mouth. It can be contributed to the sudden development of caries in as fast a pace that it may be difficult for the dentist and patient to follow. For the patient it is often not only a significant impairment of his or her life, but also large dental bills. It is extremely important that the patient and the surroundings are aware of that, both during and after the difficult time with chemo-or radiotherapy is a need for specific prevention efforts, says overtandlæge, Ph.D. Ole Hovgaard.

He also stresses the importance of the patient to maintain optimal oral health and is aware of the choice of diet. Several means can be used. Among other things, recommended to use a prescription toothpaste with extra large fluorine content. Finally, it is a good idea to arrange more frequent checks at the dentist, because early treatment is crucial for a good result.

The intensive treatment can also be a financial burden for the patient, but there is a genuine opportunity for grants under the Health Act. However, not everyone is aware of the possibility, says Ole overtandlæge Hovgaard, who daily manages the grant scheme in Central Jutland.

We see, unfortunately, many patients who until many years after their cancer treatment become aware of the existence of a subsidy scheme, which involves both the investigation, prevention and treatment. Late intervention impair its ability to prevent major damage. Here, dentists an obligation to provide better advice and guidance, says Ole Hovgaard.

He sits with Professor Flemming Isidor and dental Allan Bardow focus on complications of dry mouth and the possibility of grants Dental Association Semester Course to be held at the Bella Center in Copenhagen on 15-17th april 2010. Semester Course is the largest training event in dentistry and has this year collected over 3000 dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and others interested in dental health.