Neuroelectrostimulation in treatment of hyposalivation and xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome: a salivary pacemaker.

Abstract

Xerostomia is the symptom of oral dryness resulting most frequently, but not exclusively, from salivary gland hypo-function. Xerostomia is a common problem. Its prevalence in the general population has been estimated to be 10%–29%, women being more commonly affected than men1. Although more likely in middle to late life (perhaps reflecting the anticholinergic action of many drugs), xerostomia can affect young adults, but rarely children2,3. Xerostomia often arises as an adverse effect of drug therapy and can be a feature of psychological upset, cholinergic dys-function, radiotherapy to the head and neck, or disease of the salivary glands1. Patients with…