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The MASCC Textbook of Cancer Supportive Care and Survivorship pp 213–221Cite as

Xerostomia and Dental Problems in the Head and Neck Radiation Patient

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Abstract

Head and neck radiotherapy is accompanied by deleterious effects of radiation to healthy tissues. The clinical consequences of the effects of radiotherapy on the salivary glands include hyposalivation, deterioration of mucositis and taste loss, and the life-long threat of developing radiation caries and osteoradionecrosis. While mucositis and taste loss are reversible consequences that usually subside early postirradiation, hyposalivation is normally irreversible. This chapter focuses on the long-term effects of radiotherapy on the salivary glands and dentition. The clinical picture of xerostomia and xerostomia-related dental caries is described, and guidelines are given how to treat xerostomia and how to prevent dental caries.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, 9700 RB, The Netherlands

    Arjan Vissink

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  1. Arjan Vissink
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  2. Fred K. L. Spijkervet
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  3. Michael T. Brennan
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Correspondence to Arjan Vissink .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Professor, Cancer Coucil Australia, University of Sydney Medical School, Surry Hills, 2010, New South Wales, Australia

    Ian N. Olver

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© 2010 Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine

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Vissink, A., Spijkervet, F.K.L., Brennan, M.T. (2010). Xerostomia and Dental Problems in the Head and Neck Radiation Patient. In: Olver, I. (eds) The MASCC Textbook of Cancer Supportive Care and Survivorship. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1225-1_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1225-1_22

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1224-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1225-1

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