摘要：Saliva is an important body fluid that helps in digestion of food and facilitation of speech and swallowing, and protects the oral tissues by its antimicrobial and lubricating properties. Subjective oral dryness, or xerostomia, is usually associated with a decreased salivary flow rate (hyposalivation) or psychological factors. The common causes of reduction in salivary flow rates are dehydration, medications, head and neck radiotherapy, and specific diseases. The patient with xerostomia who has salivary gland hypofunction is at risk for many oral complications and it is critical to institute appropriate symptomatic treatment and preventive measures. This paper has reviewed evaluation methods of xerostomia and practical and contemporary measures for management of the patients with dry mouth.
