title: Xerostomia: diagnosis and management.
abstract: Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common complaint that may be caused by several conditions, which include side effects of a wide variety of drugs, such as antidepressants, therapeutic radiation to the head and neck, dehydration, diabetes, and diseases involving salivary glands, such as Sjögren's syndrome. The complaint of dry mouth may or may not be associated with decreased salivary gland function. Individuals with xerostomia complain of problems with eating, speaking, swallowing, and wearing dentures. Some people also complain of salivary gland enlargement or changes in taste. Lack of saliva may predispose one to oral infections, such as candidiasis, and increase the risk of dental caries. Management of the individual patient with xerostomia includes assessment of salivary gland function, replacement therapy, and prevention of caries and oral candidiasis. Early recognition and management of xerostomia may prevent devastating dental disease and help to improve the quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, University of California at San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Greenspan
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003679:Deglutition; D003681:Dehydration / Q000150:complications; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003778:Dentures; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D004435:Eating; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000150:complications; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000473:pathology; D013060:Speech; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D012464:Saliva, Artificial