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Hyposalivation
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Hyposalivation (hyposialia, oligoptialism, oligosialia) is a decrease in the secretion of saliva, which subsequently leads to xerostomia. As a temporary phenomenon, xerostomia occurs during acute infectious diseases (dysentery, typhus, hepatitis, etc.), with diseases of the digestive system (chronic gastritis, hepatocholecithinitis, etc.), in patients with endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, menopause, diabetes mellitus, etc.).
[ Symptoms of hyposalivation
There are three stages of xerostomia: initial, clinically expressed and late. In the initial stage, xerostomia bothers periodically, more often - when talking, there may be complaints of pain or burning in the oral cavity. During examination, no objective decrease in salivation is determined.
In the clinically expressed stage, dry mouth bothers patients constantly, especially during meals, conversations and when excited. When examining the oral cavity, the mucous membrane is of normal color, slightly moistened, there is little free saliva (it is foamy). When massaging the salivary gland, saliva is released from the ducts drop by drop. Cytological examination additionally reveals goblet cells and mucus.
In the late stage of xerostomia, in addition to constant dry mouth, pain during eating and a burning sensation in the mouth are noted. Saliva is not released from the ducts when massaging the glands. It is not possible to obtain saliva during sialometry. Cytological preparations of saliva contain many cellular elements, including cells of the ciliated cuboidal epithelium.
Treatment of hyposalivation
Treatment of patients with hyposalivation and xerostomia is symptomatic. It is aimed at stimulating salivation and treating the underlying disease. For this purpose, galvanization or electrophoresis with potassium chloride or galantamine solutions in the salivary gland area, novocaine blockade are performed. Substitution therapy is also used: moistening the oral cavity with a lysozyme solution, lubrication with vegetable oil, use of artificial saliva, various gels, etc.