Treatment of xerostomia. A review.

Saliva plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of oral health. Xerostomia is defined as a subjective sensation of oral dryness that usually implies a marked decrease in saliva secretion and may be due to a number of causes. Oral equilibrium is affected as a result, and buccal problems may develop. The present study reviews the different treatment modalities available for the management of xerostomia, destined to stimulate the production of saliva by chewing, administering gustatory substances, prescribing sialogogues such as pilocarpine, or using saliva substitutes or artificial saliva. The adoption of one treatment option or other in turn depends on the cause underlying xerostomia and on the functionality of the salivary glands. The review also evaluates preventive therapeutic measures and addresses the complications that may develop secondary to oral dryness.