Spasmodic Dysphonia Bulletin Board

I went in for my regular dental cleaning/exam yesterday and was surprised when my dentist (who is a true expert and keeps current on everything), said "You have dry mouth. That's a problem" and then he said (knowing my laryngeal/vocal history) it could easily be a side effect of either the SD or my vocal surgery or the muscle failures in my larynx recently. I take no meds so that wasn't the contributing factor.

I barely have noticed dry mouth (just on awaking in the morning) and never mentioned it to him, but when he noticed it, he asked me alot of questions. Together, based on his 25-year career and my understanding of what is going on inside my larynx lately, we determined these are definitely related, in my case. One factor (as determined by us - so not sure if it is a cause or effect or symptom, etc.) may be that I produce so much phlegm/mucous from my failed larynx these days that it is likely interferring with normal saliva production or is a symptom that it is not taking place.

Supposedly one of the causes can be nerve damage in the neck/head which contributes to a reduction in saliva production. I definitely have the "nerve damage" based on my surgery and all the failed laryngeal muscles recently. It evidently causes all kinds of dental problems when your mouth tissues aren't getting enough saliva over a period of time.

Not that I wanted to hear that, but was at least pleased he picked up on the problem so something could be done about it. He gave me an oral spray which is supposed to mimic saliva.

I was curious how many of us have such a problem (due to meds or surgery or malfunctioning larynx) and if anyone else's dentist has ever picked up on it? I did hours of research on it yesterday, so I won't include a link as there are so many. Typing "dry mouth" (or "xerostomia") into Google was highly educational, in case anyone might think they have it. I always thought drinking alot of water was the best thing for it, but evidently the "fake saliva" (oral spray) is necessary too.

Thanks for any information. Since I've been educating my dentist and his staff on SD for many years, I'd like to let him know if other SD'ers have this too and if they've had any dental problems as a result.