Over 400 medications cause xerostomia, making it the most commonly reported oral side effect associated with medication use. For example, eight of the top 20 most commonly prescribed medications for 1998 cause xerostomia.8
Saliva serves multiple roles in maintaining a healthy oral environment.9 First, saliva coats the oral mucous membranes, which maintains tissue integrity, and protects the tissues from injury during mastication, speaking, oral hygiene procedures and wearing appliances.Lubrication from salivary mucins also
Second, saliva maintains the balance of the oral ecosystem with immunologic, non-immunologic, and antibacterial processes to prevent microbial colonization and reduce bacterial adherence to the teeth and oral tissues. Third, saliva serves as a buffer for regulating oral and plaque ph. Antibacterial and buffering capacities, coupled with the natural mechanical cleansing activity of saliva, protect the teeth from dental caries and periodontal disease. Finally, structural integrity of the teeth is maintained by salivary pellicle formation, regulation of salivary electrolytes and demineralization of early enamel lesions. Alterations in saliva cause an imbalance in the oral environment, resulting in a variety of oral complications.
