Abstract
We classified patients complaining of dry mouth according to 4 items, including: the frequency of experiencing dry mouth, the degree of the disturbance on the patient's daily life, sings of oral mucosa on inspection and the function of the salivary gland. The function of the salivary gland was evaluated by synthesizing the total volume of saliva at rest and under stimulation, and the function of the lower lip salivar gland. Some patients complain of dry mouth even though the function of their salivary gland was normal. The relationship between feeling dry mouth and the function of the salivary gland is therefore not always simple. The main purpose of establishing such a classification system was to describe this medical problem both clearly and simply, and in order to determine the appropriate treatment and also follow the course. When investigating these 4 items, some patients were diagnosed to have an abnormal sensation in the mouth because the oral mucosa on inspection tended to be regarded as slight, and such findings were insufficient to prove their symptoms. We therefore consider that at least an examination of the salivary gland function is necessary for patients who complain of dry mouth.
