Abstract
Saliva plays an important role in maintaining healthy oral mucosa
and teeth as well as oral function. Hyposalivation designates
pathological low saliva secretion while xerostomia designates the
subjective feeling of oral dryness. Xerostomia is often associated
with hyposalivation and may severely affect nutritional intake,
social interaction and quality of life. Hyposalivation and xerostomia are often iatrogenic results of treatment of a disease, e.g. radiation therapy for head and neck cancer or adverse effects of medications. Local or systemic disorders
and diseases are also common causes of compromised
saliva secretion, e.g. Sjögren’s syndrome. Thus, a thorough diagnostic
workup and early diagnosis of salivary gland dysfunction is
crucial to provide appropriate treatment and alleviation of salivary
gland dysfunction and xerostomia and to prevent oral sequelae.
New treatment modalities are under development; e.g. biologic
treatments, gene transfer and stem cell therapy.
and teeth as well as oral function. Hyposalivation designates
pathological low saliva secretion while xerostomia designates the
subjective feeling of oral dryness. Xerostomia is often associated
with hyposalivation and may severely affect nutritional intake,
social interaction and quality of life. Hyposalivation and xerostomia are often iatrogenic results of treatment of a disease, e.g. radiation therapy for head and neck cancer or adverse effects of medications. Local or systemic disorders
and diseases are also common causes of compromised
saliva secretion, e.g. Sjögren’s syndrome. Thus, a thorough diagnostic
workup and early diagnosis of salivary gland dysfunction is
crucial to provide appropriate treatment and alleviation of salivary
gland dysfunction and xerostomia and to prevent oral sequelae.
New treatment modalities are under development; e.g. biologic
treatments, gene transfer and stem cell therapy.
| Original language | Danish |
|---|---|
| Journal | Aktuel Nordisk Odontologi |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 58-74 |
| ISSN | 1902-3545 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2 Jan 2019 |