Factors affecting management:
(1) underlying cause(s)
(2) residual salivary gland function
(3) amount of saliva released without stimulation
(4) amount of saliva released after stimulation
Problems for a person with xerostomia:
(1) dental caries
(2) difficulty chewing dry foods
(3) difficulty swallowing foods (food gets stuck in the throat)
(4) unpleasant oral sensations
General management:
(1) Stop, change or reduce the dose of implicated drugs.
(2) Sip water or eat ice chips throughout the day.
(3) Practice good dental hygiene. Consult a dentist if caries are a problem.
(4) Use sour sugarless candy or chewing gum to stimulate saliva flow.
(5) Treat underlying cause(s) if possible.
Management in more severe xerostomia:
(1) Consider the use of a saliva substitute.
(2) Consider the use of a sialagogue (stimulant to saliva release): pilocarpine, civemiline
