My PCP has no idea what a saliva flow test is or who conducts one. My dentist said to ask my PCP. Anyone have suggestions for this dilemma? Who performs these? I live in Charleston, SC (US)
U may need to head to NC to Charlotte to a rheumatologist or one near u. iu live in North Carolina near Winston Salem and I have a great doc but i didn't have to do them test i had to do only blood work and a exam. I got lucky i was having a flare up when I first started this hole new life.
Here in Canada, my dentist "milked" or massaged my salivary glands and then used gauze to check for moisture. This wasn't a special appointment; I happened to be there for another reason and talked to him about my dry mouth. The sides were dry, the front had a little moisture. I don't know how official this would be, and he didn't comment other than to urge me to get a diagnosis.
Wal....what sunflower said. That is all my ENT did. In fact, it was done each time he saw me. Call ENTs in Charleston and ask if they perform the Sialometry test or "milk" the parotids. That is the term I used too. Not the ENT's. Now that I have said what MINE did...let me say he treated me for sialadenitis for 5 years but NEVER suggested it could be a condition related to it called Sjogren's Syndrome!!
Best to you,
ccc
saliva flow test is an idiot test. u have to spit in a little glass, five times in half an hour and see what amount of saliva u have and then may be repeat after they put some lemmon drops on the sides of your mouth. u can do it yourself home and see what happens, may be u do it with a friend and see the difference, its not worth to go to a doctor just for that but yes for all the other tests