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Identifying and Treating Xerostomia in Restorative Patients
Author(s) -
GIBSON GRETCHEN
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of esthetic and restorative dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.919
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1708-8240
pISSN - 1496-4155
DOI - 10.1111/j.1708-8240.1998.tb00366.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dry mouth , dentistry , saliva , palliative care , disease , intensive care medicine , nursing
Inadequate saliva can have devastating consequences for a patient, including oral discomfort, rampant caries, increased candida infections, and desiccation of restorative and esthetic dental treatment. Diagnosis of the cause of xerostomia is imperative to treating the condition, and multiple causes should be considered. Treatment options for xerostomia consists of treatment for hyposalivation, palliative and preventive care to combat the results of long‐term dry mouth. Treatment of xerostomia should be based on the etiologic factors of the disease, with prevention of further oral destruction and comfort being the primary goals of treatment.