Use of an electronic stimulator for the treatment of dry mouth.
This paper presents an innovative approach to the treatment of xerostomia through normal physiologic mechanisms with a device that provides electrical stimulation to the oral and pharyngeal afferent nervous system; the result is a reflex volley of efferent impulses to the salivary glands, causing salivation. The device has been successful in treating xerostomic patients regardless of the etiology of their dry mouths.
D000818:Animals; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D010159:Palate / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D012472:Salivation; D014059:Tongue / Q000502:physiology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*