Natural remedies for the dry mouth associated with non-functioning salivary glands

Persistent xerostomia may be encountered in a substantial number of patients particularly head and neck cancer patients who received radiation, and patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Unfortunately many of these patients have lost all salivary function due to the irreversible destruction of salivary gland parenchyma. Management of this problem becomes palliative and requires the administration of salivary substitutes. This review considers the evidence regarding natural salivary substitutes that may be used to relieve severe dry mouth associated with irreversible damage of salivary glands.