Xerostomia - Non-Pharmacological Treatment Modalities and Its Review

Abstract

Xerostomia is a complicated condition that is becoming more prevalent in the elderly population due to several causes ranging from developmental to iatrogenic. Pharmacological treatment improves the symptoms but increases the adverse effects of the latter and worsens the situation again. Keeping this in mind non-pharmacological interventions are currently used or under supervision to bypass the complications of pharmacological treatment. This article aims to review the prevalence incidence causes signssymptoms and most importantly the success rate of non-pharmacological interventions. Articles in PubMed Cochrane database and Web of Science were analysed till date to establish the effectiveness of different modalities such as acupuncture electrostimulation hyperbaric oxygen HBO therapy and low-level laser therapy LLLT etc. Newer treatment modalities such as gene therapy and stem cell therapy are under trial. This paper provides a broad idea of the different non-pharmacological interventions currently used and our newer future for treating dry mouth.