Not Enough Saliva
Dry mouth is generally the result of deficient amount of saliva in the mouth. Saliva is produced by the salivary glands. A variety of diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, infections and physical traumas, can damage these glands. This will lead to a lower production of saliva, and accordingly to dry mouth symptoms.
Dry Mouth relief
The elementary goal of dry mouth treatment is to provide symptomatic dry mouth relief. This is a big challenge. However, an even bigger challenge is to repair the damaged salivary glands.
Regenerating the salivary glands
This article shows our current understanding of the mechanism of action of the salivary glands, especially at a cellular and molecular level. This knowledge coupled to new technological developments in the reconstruction and substitution of functional organs, can also bring about the regeneration of damaged salivary glands.
Dry Mouth is usually caused by damaged salivary glands. Source: Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. Author: OpenStax College
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Physiology, Pathology and Regeneration of Salivary Glands (1.8 MB PDF)