Dry mouth (Xerostomia) treatment by pilocarpine

Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, is defined as a condition resulting in the limited production of saliva or alteration in the saliva quality to retain the mouth wet. Xerostomia is normally caused due to a variety of factors such as side-effects from medication, dehydration, surgery, mouth bleeding, smoking, and irradiation of neck and head. The xerostomia is not classified as a disease but as symptoms of variable disorders. Xerostomia is potent in geriatric population affecting more than 20% of the elderly individuals, and are often associated or not with the functionality of salivary glands. Xerostomia is majorly coupled with the other disorders such as burning sensation, verbal difficulties and gulping, sore throat, and hoarseness. If remain untreated, they result in oral pH decrease and increase the probability of developing plaque and dental caries. The condition of xerostomia can be managed through self-care, intake of artificial saliva or saliva substitutes such as carboxymethyl, mucopolysaccharides solutions, and others, and other medication involves saliva stimulants such as pilocarpine, cevimeline, and many others. In addition, the most common cause of xerostomia is Sjogren's syndrome, HIV and cancer patients.