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Healing Radiation-induced Xerostomia
Healing radiation-induced xerostomia, according to research linked below, is possible with Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy.
I developed radiation-induced xerostomia following local radiation for a single plasmacytoma in my C5 that was surgically removed.
What are some of the physical problems that result from radiation-induced xerostomia and hyposalivation?
Oral and Dental Complications
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Rampant dental caries (especially cervical/root caries) – saliva normally buffers acids and provides remineralization.
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Enamel erosion and tooth wear due to lack of lubrication and buffering.
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Oral infections, particularly oral candidiasis and other fungal overgrowth, due to loss of antimicrobial peptides in saliva.
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Delayed wound healing in the oral cavity, making ulcers and trauma more persistent.
Oral Soft Tissue and Mucosal Problems
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Mucosal dryness and atrophy, leading to friability and ulcerations.
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Burning mouth syndrome or chronic oral pain.
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Difficulty wearing dentures or oral prosthetics, due to lack of lubrication and mucosal soreness.
Swallowing and Nutritional Issues
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Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) from inadequate lubrication of food bolus.
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Odynophagia (painful swallowing) due to mucosal irritation.
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Altered taste (dysgeusia/ageusia) since saliva carries tastants to taste receptors.
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Malnutrition and weight loss from difficulty chewing, swallowing, and reduced appetite.
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Increased risk of aspiration pneumonia, as dry thickened food bolus may not clear effectively.
Speech and Quality-of-Life Problems
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Dysarthria (speech difficulties) due to reduced oral lubrication.
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Halitosis (bad breath) from bacterial overgrowth and poor clearance.
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Sleep disturbances – frequent waking at night to drink water.
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Psychosocial effects – reduced ability to eat socially, communicate comfortably, and maintain oral hygiene.
Systemic Consequences
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Nutritional deficiencies (protein-calorie malnutrition, vitamins, minerals) secondary to reduced intake.
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Dehydration risk, especially in elderly patients.
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Impaired immunity in the oral cavity, with greater systemic infection risk.
👉 In summary: radiation-induced xerostomia and hyposalivation trigger a cascade of oral health deterioration (caries, infections, mucosal injury), functional impairments (chewing, swallowing, speaking), and systemic complications (malnutrition, dehydration, infection risk) that significantly reduce quality of life.
What is the science behind photobiomodulation?
Radiation-induced xerostomia is an excellent example of a side effect that results from cancer treatment that is serious yet can be healed if the cancer survivor knows what they’re doing.
I am a long-term MM survivor. Photobiomodulation therapy is a remarkable treatment shown to alleviate several side effects induced by other therapies.
Email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com with questions about managing MM with both conventional and non-conventional therapies.
Hang in there,
David Emerson
- MM Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Photobiomodulation for restoring salivary flow after radiotherapy in head and neck cancer: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Background
Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment modalities, especially radiotherapy (RT), often lead to salivary gland dysfunction, resulting in hyposalivation and xerostomia, which impair patients’ quality of life. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, a noninvasive approach using nonthermal red/near-infrared light, has shown promise in mitigating these side effects. This study evaluated the impact of PBM therapy on salivary flow, biochemical biomarkers, patient-reported outcome measures and mouth opening in patients with HNC suffering from chronic xerostomia after RT…
Results
Compared with the placebo group, the PBM group presented a nearly significant increase in the SFR (0.22 ± 0.29 vs. 0.05 ± 0.15 ml/min, p = 0.051; effect size d = 0.75) after the intervention. A responder analysis revealed that five patients in the PBM group shifted from hyposalivation (SFR < 0.25 ml/min) to normal salivary flow, whereas no such change was observed in the placebo group (p = 0.048). Both groups reported similar levels of satisfaction and adherence, and no adverse events were recorded.
Conclusions
PBM therapy demonstrated potential benefits in improving salivary flow among oncological patients with chronic RT-induced xerostomia, suggesting possible regenerative effects on the salivary glands.
Despite the objective improvements in the SFR, changes in biochemical markers and the remaining outcome measures were less definitive in patients with HNC. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and better delineate the clinical utility of this therapy.
Healing radiation-induced xerostomia Healing radiation-induced xerostomia