Hyposalivation and Xerostomia and Burning Mouth Syndrome

In this chapter, the authors review the benefits of saliva and the destructive consequences of its loss. It is hoped that this will help their colleagues identify and treat patients before development of symptoms. Xerostomia is the subjective complaint of dry mouth or sensation of oral dryness. Hyposalivation is the actual decrease in measured salivary outflow. The authors discuss a compiled list of highly cited medications commonly used today that are linked with xerostomia and hyposalivation. There are numerous treatment modalities that are present, such as saliva substitutes, mouth rinses, sugar-free candy, and pilocarpine among others.