XEROSTOMIA: FAKTOR ETIOLOGI, ETIOLOGI DAN PENANGGULANGAN

Abstract

Saliva is a complex oral secretion, which producd by major and minor salivary glans about 1.5 liters in 24 hours. In the oral cavity, saliva has several important functions include cleansing action, lubrication, facilitates for chewing and swallowing, food, speaking, buffer system.protecting teeth and a paart of mucosal immune system. These functions will be optimum if salivary secretion produced in normal quantitiy and quality. When salivary flow is diminished, it may express disorder in the form of xerostomia or oral dryness. Several factors can contribute as causing this condition, such as radiation to head and neck region, local diseases that affect salivary gland, systemic diseases, side effect of drugs and age. There are many problems usually presented by patients with xerostomia. These problems reflect the major funcitonal roles of saliva. So, the dentist must know the management of xerostomic patients, that aimed at elimination of the etiology of xerostomia, clinical manifestationsa and the management of xerostomia so that the dentist can arrange treatment planning rationally.id