Our bodies are truly wondrous. Just as the Donguibogam spoke of body fluids and the balance of zang-fu organs, modern medicine also views xerostomia not merely as a simple discomfort, but as a warning signal that the delicate balance of our entire body has broken down. This signal is deeply related to the complex interplay mainly among the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system.
First, let us look at the role saliva plays. Saliva is not simple water. It is a natural protective barrier and restorative agent that contains not only enzymes that smoothly lubricate food and aid digestion, but also minerals that make teeth hard again, such as calcium and phosphoric acid, buffer functions that neutralize oral acidity, and immune substances that fight bacteria, including IgA, lactoferrin, and lysozyme. What happens if this saliva dries up? Teeth are left defenseless against attacks by cariogenic bacteria, gums are easily exposed to inflammation, and the oral mucosa dries out, making it susceptible to injury even from minor irritation. In severe cases, one may experience fungal infection such as oral candidiasis, dysphagia, or alterations in gustatory sense.
Xerostomia in modern individuals also has an inseparable relationship with stress. Our body's autonomic nervous system is divided into parasympathetic nerves that normally stimulate saliva secretion and sympathetic nerves that suppress saliva secretion in stressful situations. Chronic stress excessively activates sympathetic nerves, becoming a primary culprit that reduces saliva secretion. In a continuous state of tension, the body conserves energy by reducing activities unrelated to emergency situations, such as digestion or saliva secretion.
Moreover, the influence of the endocrine system cannot be ignored. In patients with diabetes, high blood glucose levels increase the sugar concentration in saliva, creating an environment favorable for bacteria to proliferate, and xerostomia can worsen due to dehydration and medication side effects. Hormonal changes in climacteric women also affect salivary gland function, sometimes inducing oral dryness. Autoimmune diseases such as SjΓΆgren syndrome even attack the salivary glands themselves, causing extreme xerostomia.
Consequently, xerostomia is not a localized issue, but is directly linked to decreased immunity, our body's defense system. When immune proteins contained in saliva decrease, harmful bacteria in the oral cavity easily proliferate and excessive inflammatory reactions can occur. This suggests the potential to go beyond mere gum inflammation and lead to systemic inflammation. In other words, what the Donguibogam described as exhaustion of body fluids and imbalance of zang-fu organs is explained in modern medicine through scientific mechanisms: autonomic dysfunction between sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, endocrine system abnormalities, and decreased immunity. A small dryness in the mouth is an important signal informing us about the health of our entire body.
