Xerostomia
Pronunciation: zeer-oh-STOH-mee-ah
The subjective sensation of dry mouth, often resulting from reduced or absent salivary flow, commonly documented in dental hygiene assessments.
Full Definition
Xerostomia refers to the patient's subjective complaint of oral dryness, which may or may not correspond to measurable hyposalivation. It is frequently caused by medications (polypharmacy), radiation therapy, or systemic conditions such as Sjögren's syndrome. In dental hygiene records, editors must distinguish between 'xerostomia' (the symptom as reported by the patient) and 'hyposalivation' (the clinically measured reduction in salivary flow rate). Misusing these terms interchangeably is a common editorial error in patient-facing and clinical documents.
Usage
Usage note: Retain the clinical term 'xerostomia' in professional documents; 'dry mouth' is acceptable in patient education materials only.
In Context
- "The health history update revealed that the patient had developed xerostomia since starting antihypertensive medication." — Health History Form
- "Editors should not substitute 'dry mouth' for 'xerostomia' in peer-reviewed submissions without author approval." — Journal Manuscript Style Note