Treatment of xerostomia essentially is carried out in regard to the cause and is divided in
four main categories: palliative or symptomaic, local and systemic stimulation and prevention
of complications. Which category will be applied, depends primarily on whether salivary
glands can still produce saliva or not. In patients with residual salivary gland function, the
use of salivary stimulans appears to be more beneficial than salivary substitutes. When saliva
is absent, treatment remains palliative and must include salivary substitutes. During anticancer
radio-and chemotherapy xerostomia is the earliest and the most prominent consequence
which significantly affects the quality of life and lead to severe and long-term complications.
Because management of xerostomia is rarely effective, prevention is paramount.