Managing Xerostomia

Avoid using these products:

  • Inciting medications
  • Irritants such as alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco
  • Sugar-containing drinks and candies

Suggest patients do the following:

  • Take sips of water, especially during eating.
  • Chew sugarless gum and mints.
  • Use saliva substitutes.
  • Try salivary stimulants such as pilocarpine.

Prevent caries and periodontal disease by:

  • Maintaining meticulous oral hygiene
  • Using increased strength topical fluorides such as 1.1% sodium fluoride

Salivary Substitutes

m8_drymouth1

Salivary Stimulants

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Sugarless Gum and Mints

Robert Henry, DMD, MPH
Robert Henry, DMD, MPH

References

Visvanathan V, Nix P. Managing the patient presenting with xerostomia: a review. Int J Clin Pract 2010; 64(3): 404–407.