May 2008 Edition - agosci

articles articlesSaliva Control & the Medical Solution:Two Personal Viewsby Meredith Allan & Fiona Givenmmallan@netspace.net.au & fionagiven@hotmail.comWith concluding remarks by Hilary JohnsonEarlier this year Meredith was asked her personal viewsabout operating on the saliva ducts that help stopsaliva uncontrollably fl owing from the mouth. Meredithasked Fiona her opinion as Fiona had had a differentprocedure to Meredith. Both Meredith and Fiona felt that theirstories and views should be shared.This is a sensitive issue in the AAC community. We hate theembarrassment our saliva causes. Within the AAC community,we are relaxed about it as it is something we accept. Howeveronce outside our community, it is socially unacceptable for aperson over the age of two years old.MeredithEach person has two sets of saliva ducts. In 1975 as a teenager,I had my two parotid ducts diverted. They were diverted to fl owthe saliva back down the throat. Theoretically, I have the sameamount of saliva but most of it fl ows directly down the throat.I still “dribble” (I hate that word) especially when concentratinghard on something.Life changed.In 1976 I successfully integrated into a ‘regular’ secondaryschool, then proceeded to university and finally the workforce.Socially I was also accepted.During the years immediately following the operation, Iremember being thirsty. I mainly drank at night. I gave up saltin the early 80’s which helped me not feel so thirsty.It is hard to remember how bad the saliva was beforethe operation. One account I do remember was when mygrandmother visited me at the hostel where I was boarding. Mygrandmother had brought me new serviettes. When she left mean hour later, the serviette was sopping wet.After the operation to divert the saliva ducts, I was warnedthat removing my wisdom teeth would be diffi cult. In 1992, Ieventually had my four wisdom teeth removed but there was noproblem. My dentist did check with my primary surgeon beforereferring me to the dental surgeon to have the wisdom teethremoved.I do have fi llings. My nieces and nephews think fi lling arestrange things (fl uoride generation). Most of my fi llings werebetween 1971 and 1975. I have been pedantic about my dentalcare since 1975. Of course, there are always repairs to be done.I am very grateful to my dentist for her patience, care and foralways listening to what I say. Mind you, I pay the bills too.Recently, I have had a very dry mouth at night. I ignored it atfi rst thinking it was hayfever. After a few months of waking upevery night with a dry mouth, sometimes up to four or fi vetimes a night, I knew it wasn’t extended hayfever. Gradually, Irealised it might be related to my saliva ducts.My dentist has me on dry mouth gel and tooth mousse. Thetooth mousse is a calcium and phosphorus formula whichprotects my teeth due to the lack of saliva at night. They cost$34 each and should last me three months. All very expensive.Fiona has also suggested I try Oral Balance.I have no regrets about having the operation to divert my salivaducts. It has allowed me to have a better quality of life than Iwould have had without it.FionaI was only 6 years old when saliva control really started tobother me. My chest was always wet and from memory I got alot of colds.I had independent discussions with the head speech pathologistat Mosman Spastic Centre about my options. She said myoptions were bibs or surgery.So I tried bibs for a while. Mum made bibs that blended inwith my clothes. However, I still hated wearing them. I thoughtI looked like a baby.This is where the freak child comes out. In 1984, aged 6, Idecided to have my right submandibular gland removedaccompanied with a left tympanotomy.My parents obviously agreed because I was below the age ofconsent.However, since I have started to get into health law, I haverefl ected upon this and have discussed it with my lecturers andthey have said I possibly would have been competent to havemade the decision. So I guess this is an illustration of howchildren with disabilities can be involved in decision making.Following the operation, my dribbling reduced considerably.However, like Meredith, I still dribble a bit. I need to have ahanky with me all the time to wipe my mouth.I have had similar side effects to Meredith. I get a dry mouthand have to drink constantly. I use Oral Balance at night andhave water beside my bed.Dental problems have been a bit of a nightmare since my earlytwenties. I have had my wisdom teeth removed, fi llings androot canal treatment. Every time I need dental work, I requirefull general anaesthetic. This has happened fi ve times in thepast ten years.I am meant to use tooth moose. However, I am not as disciplinedas Meredith and most nights I’m too tired to bother. My dentalnurse, who I have had for a very long time says, “Please Fionatry to use tooth mousse and do not leave it too long betweendental visits.” If I do, she is on the telephone and then I know Iam in big trouble! I would like to thank the dental clinic at theSpastic Centre for the service they provide.I agree with Meredith that the saliva control surgery wassuccessful. If I had not had it, I don’t think I would have beenable to go to a mainstream high school or university, let alonepractice law.31