Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common complication in patients treated with radiotherapy for cancer of the head and neck, having been cited as occurring to some degree in 60- 100% of patients. Radiation, either alone or in addition to surgery, is a mainstay in the treatment of head and neck cancer. The incidence and degree of xerostomia as a side-effect is proportional to both the dosage of radiation used, and the amount of salivary gland tissue included in the radiation field. The downstream effects of xerostomia are wide-ranging, and can include difficulty chewing, swallowing, impaired phonation, altered taste sensation, dental carries, oropharyngeal candidiasis, systemic malnutrition and weight loss. Several studies have demonstrated a significant negative impact of xerostomia on patient quality of life. With cancer of the head and neck being the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, the burden of xerostomia on both the healthcare system and patient quality of life should not be underestimated.