Have humans lost moisture?
Lately don't you often see people carrying around bottled drinks?
In Japan, soft drink containers have increased in size compared to ten years ago.
There is a global tendency towards worsening dry symptoms of the entire body due to environmental changes.
Dry mouth appears as a symptom of various disorders and it goes without saying that it can cause tooth decay, periodontal disease and bad breath. In Japan there are approximately 8 million patients suffering from dry eye and it is thought that many of these patients also have dry mouth symptoms (xerostomia). Furthermore, in the United States and Europe, epidemiological studies have reported that 25％ of the population suffer from this disease. Converting this number to the Japanese population would mean approximately 30 million patients. However, there are few general dentists who know how to treat this disease and so patients are searching for dentists with specialist knowledge of dry mouth.
The Dry Mouth Society in Japan was established in May 2002 and there are now over 1,200 members (as of December 2004). We are engaged in research to elucidate the etiology and find more effective treatment methods for the ever-increasing number of patients of this common disease. Also in order to promote better understanding of this disease and establish national level diagnosis and treatment guidelines, we are proactively carrying out activities towards all those involved in dental medicine.
ABOUT US
About the Dry Mouth Society in Japan
The Dry Mouth Society in Japan is engaged in research activities to elucidate the etiology and find treatment methods for the ever-increasing number of patients of this common disease. In order to promote better understanding of this disease, we are also proactively carrying out activities towards those involved in dental medicine.
Activity objectives of the Dry Mouth Society:
1. Establishment of a clinical system to treat dry mouth patients
2. Investigation of the cause of dry mouth
3. Propagation of dry mouth diagnostic systems
4. Introduction of dry mouth treatment methods
5. Explaining insurance claim method for examination and diagnosis of dry mouth
6. Training and networking of Dry Mouth Society certified dentists
(1) Education for patients
(2) Collaboration with other medical institutions
(3) Home page creation
7. Reporting of clinical data at scientific meetings and to specialized journals
Secretariat
Ichiro Saito, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Chairperson
Dry Mouth Society in Japan
SOCIETY
Dry Mouth Patient Society in Japan
Are you worried all alone?
･ You are not the only one suffering from this disease as there are many people who have the same worries.
･ It is important to learn to live with this disease, improve the quality of your life and try to do as much as you can.
･ Although no immediate cure for these symptoms has yet been found, it is possible to relieve and suppress individual symptoms.
･ Medicine is progressing at a rapid pace and active research for treatment is underway, therefore effective treatment procedure is likely to be developed in the near future.
Frequent symptoms
･ Dry mouth
･ No saliva
･ Difficulty in speaking
･ Burning sensation of the tongue
･ Difficulty in swallowing
･ Impaired taste
･ Constantly drinking water
･ Concerned about bad breath
･ Waking up thirsty during the night
･ Worsening of tooth decay or periodontal disease
Causes
･ Side effects from medications
･ Diabetes
･ Connective tissue disease (Sjogren's syndrome)
･ Aging
･ Stress
If you should experience the above symptoms, please get tested by a
specialist dentist or an oral surgeon.
Basic precautions
･ Lead a well-regulated life and use good dental hygiene
･ Get sufficient rest and sleep
･ Eat well-balanced meals without likes and dislikes
･ Get adequate exercise, bathe and walk regularly
･ Avoid stress
･ Change pace (listen to music, read, converse with people)
･ Try not to rely on medication
Dry mouth interferes with normal daily life.
Only the affected person can understand what this feels like.
There are many people suffering from this.
We made this Society in the hope of giving some relief to this agony.
No initiation or yearly fees.
Upon registering with Dry Mouth Patient Society in Japan the following will be sent to you:
･ Report magazines and newsletters
･ Seminar information
･ Patient interaction information
(Please note that only residents of Japan can apply and that the information and meetings will be in Japanese.)
Let's make this a heartwarming exchange place where people who have the same worries can come together and gain support through mutual understanding and encouragement.
Please send your application form to the Secretariat listed below.
The application form can be downloaded and printed out.
Dry Mouth Patient Society in Japan
