There are numerous typical symptoms that characterize xerostomia (dry mouth), leading to a significant reduction in quality of life for those affected. The following symptoms and complaints may indicate xerostomia:
- Dry mucous membranes – oral mucosa is atrophic, reddened and sensitive to pain.
- Sticking of the tongue to the mucous membranes; tongue surface occasionally shows indentations and cracks
- Viscous saliva
- Dry, cracked lips
- Taste disorders (dysgeusia)
- Chewing difficulties – when eating dry food.
- Dysphagia (dysphagia/swallowing difficulties) – when swallowing empty.
- Chewing difficulties – when eating dry food.
- Burning tongue (glossodynia)
- Burning mouth (stomatopyrosis; bourning-mouth syndrome, BMS).
- Bleeding gums and tongue
- Tongue surface reddened, strongly furrowed; possibly also indentations and cracks.
- Teeth: after years of dry mouth, they may be decayed or demineralized
- Pain when speaking, chewing and swallowing.
- Strong bad breath (foetor ex ore)
Denture wearers complain of poorly fitting dentures due to the lack of or reduced saliva film suction adhesion.
Other symptoms/diseases may include:
- Caries – due to the lack of saliva is also lost its protective effect on the tooth hard substances, so that increased caries occurs.
- Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).
- Periodontitis – infectious, inflammatory disease of the periodontium (periodontium) with gum recession.
The most common extraoral symptoms/findings are:
- Anorexia (loss of appetite).
- Eye dryness with burning of the eyes (keratoconjunctivitis).
- Diarrhea (diarrhea)
- Dysosmia (olfactory disorders)
- Micturition difficulties with increased urination
- Obstipation (constipation)
- Pharyngitis (pharyngitis)
- Nausea (nausea / vomiting)
- Rhinitis (nasal catarrh, rhinitis) with parosmia (olfactory and olfactory disturbance).
- Dryness of the nasal mucosa with eschar formation and epistaxis (nosebleeds).
- Dryness of the throat with hoarseness and chronic cough.
- Indigestion (dyspepsia) with heartburn (reflux esophagitis).
- Xeroderma (skin dryness)
- Xerophthalmia (drying of the cornea and conjunctiva).
