Dental care and oral health information you need
from the Academy of General Dentistry


Sunday, May 5, 2024
Know Your Teeth Academy of General Dentistry Know Your Teeth

InfoBites

Quick Reference

Learn what those dental words mean.

Check out how your teeth and mouth change in every stage of life.

RSS

Feeds

Get dental news feeds delivered directly to your desktop! more...

Acupuncture May Provide Relief From Dry Mouth

 
Chapter: Acupuncture and Radiation Therapy

After undergoing head and neck radiation therapy, seven patients with dry mouth were treated using acupuncture. Patients were seen once a week for four to five weeks, followed by two or three biweekly sessions.

 

Dr. Morganstein found that eight months after treatment, all patients reported a reduction in dry-mouth symptoms, as well as an increase in saliva flow and the ability to eat and speak, and improved sleep.

 

In the United States, acupuncture is performed primarily by licensed, non-physician acupuncturists. Additionally, physicians and a small number of dentists have been trained in medical acupuncture. Acupuncture is effective in increasing the amount of saliva and, by doing so, alleviating or decreasing the symptoms of dry mouth.
 

Reviewed: January 2012