Conditions and diseases affecting the salivary glands
and their function
Anne Marie Lynge Pedersen, Kathrine Skarstein,
Hülya Çevik-Aras, Arja M Kullaa, Hanna Laine
and Janicke Liaaen Jensen
Tandläkartidningen 2024; 116 (2): 68–75
Salivary gland hypofunction (objective evidence of
diminished salivary output) and xerostomia (the subjective sensation of dry mouth) are common conditions. Patients with salivary gland hypofunction and
altered saliva composition are at increased risk for
developing caries, oral fungal infections, oral mucosal changes and debilitating symptoms, swallowing
problems, and diminished or altered taste. The most
prominent cause of xerostomia and salivary gland
hypofunction is the intake of medications interfering
with the nervous regulation of salivary secretion. Radiotherapy for cancer in the head and neck region often leads to permanent and severe xerostomia and
salivary gland hypofunction due to degeneration of
the salivary gland tissue involved in the radiation
field. Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease
affecting exocrine glands, causes permanent xerostomia and hyposalivation due to immune-mediated
structural changes in the salivary glands. Ageing may
also be associated with structural changes in the salivary glands that can influence the functions of saliva. This article reviews the aetiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of
conditions with salivary gland hypofunction, common salivary gland diseases (mucous cysts and sialoliths) and salivary gland tumours. l