ged and without capability to produce saliva, as is in the cases of head and neck ra- diotherapy or advanced systemic disease (e.g. Diabetes mellitus, Sjögren sy) pallia- tive treatment remains the option.
When salivary function is preserved stimulation of salivary glands aimed to increase the salivary output, include:
1. Local stimulation
The combination of chewing and acidic taste, as provided by chewing gums or solid food or fruits, preferentially acidic (apple, pinneapple, carrots etc.) can be very efective in stimulating saliv fow for patients who have remaining salivary functi- on. Patients with dry mouth must be told not to use sweets, sweetener in food and drink and various other sugar products due to the increased risk for dental caries. Acidic sof drinks are an increasing source of dental erosion as is excessive intake of white wine
The use of laser infrared light of 904nm (low level laser therapy, LLLT) on sa- livary glands in the treatment of xerostomia proved to be not only stimulative but also regenerative in nature [58].
Use of acupuncture in the treatment of xerostomia have focused earlier mainly on a curative