Treatment alternatives for dry mouth: A scoping review

Saliva is a biological fluid essential for the maintenance of a proper oral health. Its absence predisposes to differences pathologies, including dental caries, fungal infections among many others, significantly affecting the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL). There is a large variety of treatment alternatives available for dry mouth, which increases constantly. Objective: To identify new treatment alternatives for dry mouth.

We conducted a systematic search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and Ebsco. Articles published between January 2015 and January 2020 were retrieved and reviewed by two independent evaluators.

Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for analysis. Local therapies were the most evaluated agents, followed by systemic and non-conventional treatments. Most local therapies showed certain utility for the management of dry mouth and the improvement of OHRQoL. These formulations were mainly based on natural agents, including malic acid, thyme honey, ginger, among others.

Local agents are first line treatment alternatives for dry mouth sensation, with a reported efficiency that varies between studies, and with a low number of reported adverse side-effects. Nevertheless, care must be taken when interpreting these results, as is difficult to compare studies within each other due large heterogeneity in study design and outcomes being measured. Key words:Xerostomia, dry mouth, hyposalivation, saliva, mouth dryness.