Managing Dry Mouth: The Role of Saliva, 2nd Edition

Course overview

The oral and general health of individuals is determined by, and dependent on, an adequate salivary flow. Salivary clearance is essential to reducing the cariogenic potential of foodstuffs as well as providing a mechanism for remineralization of dental enamel after minor assaults such as ingestion of acidic foods and beverages (Allhajj and Babos, 2023) This course addresses dry mouth, referred to as xerostomia (Poudel, et.al. 2023; Talha and Swarnkar, 2023) Xerostomia is not a disease unto itself but may be a symptom of a disease or a side effect of medical treatment (Wynn, et.al, 2024). It is also a common daily condition among the patient population older than age 65 (Jacob, et.al, 2022). Although not life-threatening, dry mouth can produce serious negative effects on the patient's quality of life. These effects may include changes in dietary habits and subsequent nutritional status, difficulty with speech, a decrease in taste, intolerance to removable dental prostheses, and an increased susceptibility to dental caries (American Dental Association, 2026; Talha and Swarnkar, 2023). This basic-level course describes the role that saliva plays in general and dental health, as well as the causes and consequences of compromised salivary production. Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants will gain an understanding of the scope of this problem and increase their ability to identify and manage this condition and educate their patients about an at-home oral hygiene regimen that can minimize the adverse oral effects of chronic xerostomia.