Can fluorides benefit xerostomic (dry mouth) patients?
When salivary flow is absent or minimal, caries destruction is rapid and rampant. Patients experiencing drug or radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth) should be treated with professionally-applied fluorides, home fluorides, and a strict program of oral hygiene. Temporary dry mouth commonly occurs as a side effect of many drugs including: antihistamines, diuretics, antihypertensives, anticholinergic, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and decongestants.
