Stem Cells in Management of Xerostomia

Xerostomia is a subjective symptom of dry mouth due to lack of saliva. It occurs due to multiple etiologic factors including systemic diseases and drug intake. Radiotherapy is commonly used in the management of head and neck cancers. One of the side effects of radiotherapy is xerostomia which causes debilitating symptoms such as pain, ulcers, infections, difficulty in speaking, chewing and swallowing food; and in wearing dentures, often resulting in stoppage of radiotherapy in these patients. Review of current literature points out the fact that available treatment to manage xerostomia is unsatisfactory. Stem cell therapy is gaining tremendous importance in recent years. Protecting, maintaining and transplanting the salivary gland stem cells appears to be an exciting option to prevent the occurrence of xerostomia and also to cure it. The current article aims to give insight into the probable uses of stem cells in the managing and treating xerostomia.