Comparison between three different saliva substitutes in patients with hyposalivation

Area of Science:

• Oral medicine
• Dental research
• Salivary gland disorders

Background:

• Hyposalivation, or dry mouth, significantly impacts patients' quality of life.
• Effective management of hyposalivation is crucial for oral health.
• Saliva substitutes offer a therapeutic option for managing dry mouth symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of Buccotherm® (thermal spring water spray), Xeros® (commercial saliva substitute), and marshmallow root in improving quality of life for patients with hyposalivation.
• To assess the impact of these agents on reducing dry mouth intensity.

Main Methods:

• A randomized study involving 60 patients with hyposalivation (salivary flow rate <0.2 ml/min).
• Patients were assigned to use Buccotherm®, Xeros®, or marshmallow root four times daily for 2 weeks.
• Quality of life was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14), and dry mouth intensity was assessed via visual analog scale (VAS) before and after treatment.

Main Results:

• Buccotherm® demonstrated the most significant improvement in quality of life among the tested agents.
• All tested saliva substitutes led to a reduction in the intensity of dry mouth symptoms.
• Statistical analysis confirmed significant effects on quality of life and dry mouth reduction.

Conclusions:

• All three tested saliva substitutes, including Buccotherm®, Xeros®, and marshmallow root, are recommended for alleviating hyposalivation symptoms and improving quality of life.
• Buccotherm® appears to be superior to Xeros® and marshmallow root in enhancing the quality of life for patients experiencing hyposalivation.