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<article xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="1.0" article-type="dentistry" lang="en">
  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher">JOHS</journal-id>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="nlm-ta">Journ of Health Scien</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title>Journal of HealthCare Sciences</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title abbrev-type="pubmed">Journ of Health Scien</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn pub-type="ppub">2231-2196</issn>
      <issn pub-type="opub">0975-5241</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Radiance Research Academy</publisher-name>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">485</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi">http://dx.doi.org/10.52533/JOHS.2025.51224</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi-url"/>
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group subj-group-type="heading">
          <subject>Dentistry</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title>Clinical Management of Dry Mouth in Patients Taking Long-Term Medications&#13;
</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Alfaraj</surname>
            <given-names>Zahra Saud</given-names>
          </name>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Alhothali</surname>
            <given-names>Azza Saad</given-names>
          </name>
        </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <pub-date pub-type="ppub">
        <day>30</day>
        <month>12</month>
        <year>2025</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>5</volume>
      <issue>12</issue>
      <fpage>910</fpage>
      <lpage>916</lpage>
      <permissions>
        <copyright-statement>This article is copyright of Popeye Publishing, 2009</copyright-statement>
        <copyright-year>2009</copyright-year>
        <license license-type="open-access" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">
          <license-p>This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) Licence. You may share and adapt the material, but must give appropriate credit to the source, provide a link to the licence, and indicate if changes were made.</license-p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <abstract>
        <p>Xerostomia is a common complication in patients receiving long-term pharmacological treatments, particularly among older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses. It results from the salivary glands__ampersandsign#39; impaired ability to produce saliva, often caused by medications with anticholinergic or sympathomimetic properties. The condition affects oral function, speech, taste, nutritional intake, and increases the risk of dental caries, periodontal disease, and mucosal infections. Despite its high prevalence, xerostomia is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated in both primary care and specialist settings. Pharmacologic interventions, including muscarinic receptor agonists such as pilocarpine and cevimeline, have shown efficacy in stimulating salivary flow but are often limited by systemic side effects. Saliva substitutes, gels, and sprays provide temporary symptom relief without improving gland function. Non-pharmacologic strategies like xylitol-based products, chewing gums, and low-level laser therapy may be beneficial for select patients with residual glandular activity. Personalizing these interventions requires assessment of individual gland function, medical comorbidities, and cognitive status. Emerging therapies in regenerative medicine, including stem cell applications and gene transfer technologies, present new possibilities for long-term improvement in patients with irreversible salivary gland damage. Early clinical trials indicate potential for functional recovery, particularly in patients with radiation-induced hypofunction. However, accessibility, cost, and regulatory considerations remain barriers to widespread use. Long-term management is further complicated by poor treatment adherence, lack of standardized care protocols, and limited integration between dental and medical professionals. Gaps in follow-up and low prioritization of oral health in chronic disease care contribute to suboptimal outcomes. Improving patient education, strengthening interprofessional collaboration, and expanding access through digital platforms may enhance the continuity and effectiveness of care. A comprehensive, individualized approach is essential to minimize the functional and quality-of-life impacts of medication-induced xerostomia.&#13;
</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group>
        <kwd>xerostomia</kwd>
        <kwd> long-term medications</kwd>
        <kwd> salivary gland dysfunction</kwd>
        <kwd> pharmacologic management</kwd>
        <kwd> oral health</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
</article>