Salivary Pacemakers: A review

Abstract

Xerostomia is the medical term for the subjective complaint of dry mouth due to a lack of saliva. Xerostomia is sometimes colloquially called pasties, cottonmouth, drooth, doughmouth or des (like a desert). Several diseases, treatments and medications can cause xerostomia. It is also common in smokers. Treatment of xerostomia is a common clinical challenge in the oral medicine practice. Although some treatments have been used to improve the symptoms of xerostomia, none is completely satisfactory for the patients who suffer of this alteration. This review is aimed at presenting new developments for the treatment of xerostomia.

Key Words: Electrostimulation, hyposalivation, saliva, xerostomia