Abstract

MARTIN MARTIN, M.; LOPEZ, M.  and  CEREZO, L.. Xerostomia post-radiation therapy: efficacy of topical treatments based on olive oil, betaine and xylitol. Av Odontoestomatol [online]. 2014, vol.30, n.3, pp.161-170. ISSN 2340-3152.

Xerostomia is the most frequent complication among patients who receive radiotherapy for oral cancers. A reduction in salivary flow rate and decrease of its pH is paralleled with a change in saliva competence and shifting of oral microflora to cariogenic bacterial spices. Therefore difficulties in speech, mastication, swallowing, changes in taste, dental caries, burning sensation, microbial infections and a compromised quality of life are associated with the presence of xerostomia. Studies have led to three therapeutic approach for xerostomia treatment: prevention, stimulation and symptomatic treatment. Prevention it is not always possible, although intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique, gives the ability to delivering lower doses of radiation to parotid glands. Stimulation agents as cholinergic agonist have all demonstrated some ability to improve xerostomia, however have side effects and are contraindicated for certain medical disorders. There are a huge variety of products for relief dry mouth symptoms as Chewing gum, sugarfree lozenges, salivary substitutes and moisturizers, toothpastes. A previous study report that the daily use of topical dry mouth products containing olive oil, betaine and xilitol is safe and effective in relieving symptoms of xerostomia in a population with polypharmacy-induced xerostomia. The objective of this study is to review efficacy of various treatment options for radiation-induced hyposalivation and present our results with the use of specific topical products in this patients.

Keywords : Radiotherapy; xerostomia; quality of life; questionnaries; visual analogic scale; head and neck neoplasms.

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