Diagnosing, managing, and preventing salivary gland disorders

Salivary function provides host protection, assists in the initiation of food and fluid intake, and enables communication through speech. Without adequate salivary output, oral and pharyngeal health declines along with a person’s quality of life. The complaint of a dry mouth (xerostomia) and the objective finding of salivary dysfunction are common occurrences in older individuals, producing transient and permanent oral and systemic problems. Salivary dysfunction, however, is not a normal consequence of growing older, and is due to systemic diseases, medications, and head and neck radiotherapy. Diagnosis of salivary disorders begins with a careful medical history, head, and neck examination. While complaints of xerostomia may be indicative of a salivary gland disorder, salivary diseases can present without symptoms. Therefore, routine examination of salivary function must be part of any head, neck, and oral examination. Therapies are designed to prevent the development of oral and pharyngeal sequelae of salivary hypofunction. Current xerostomia-based treatments include replacement therapies and gustatory, masticatory, and pharmacological stimulants. Healthcare professionals can play a vital role in identifying patients at risk for developing salivary dysfunction, and should provide appropriate preventative and interventive techniques that will help preserve a person’s health, function, and quality of life.