It is obvious that the quality of life in patients who underwent radiotherapy in
the head and neck region is strongly influenced by xerostomia and all its consequences.
Patients usually suffer from dry, vulnerable and painful oral mucosa, have
difficulties in all oral functions (chewing, swallowing and particularly speech), perception of taste is altered or even partially lost. The risk for dental caries increases
secondary to number of factors: shift to cariogenic flora, reduction of salivary pH,
and loss of mineralizing components. The reduction in salivary flow may contribute
to the risk of fungal infection and osteonecrosis of the mandible. All these secondary
effects of radiation-induced xerostomia contribute to the so-called xerostomiasyndrome