Cross-Sectional Study of Oral Health in Patients After Parotid-Sparing Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Small plastic cups will be placed on the inside of subject cheeks, and held in place with gentle suction. These cups are attached to tubes which will allow the collection of saliva into a test tube. Saliva will also be collected from the glands underneath the tongue using a small gentle suction device, similar to the one used by a dentist. Saliva production will be stimulated by dabbing a mild citric acid solution that tastes like lemon onto the tongue using a Q-Tip. After this test, subjects will also be asked to chew wax to simulate saliva, and the saliva that accumulates in their mouth will be collected by spitting into a test tube.