Prevention of xerostomia-related dental caries in irradiated cancer patients.

Three caries preventative regimens: oral hygiene; oral hygiene and topical fluoride; and oral hygiene, typical fluoride, and sucrose restriction were evaluated in patients with cancer given xerostomia-producing radiotherapy. The oral hygiene-fluoride gel combination was remarkably effective in protecting these high risk patients from caries, regardless of the cariogenicity of the diet.