Widespread use of prescription medications has increased the incidence of xerostomia. Xerostomia can cause difficulty swallowing, chewing, tasting, and speaking.1 Additionally, xerostomia increases the risk of demineralization, tooth sensitivity, and oral inflammation. With dry mouth products, efficiency is important, and taste and viscosity often determine compliance. When recommending xerostomia products to your patients, choose pH-balanced materials without a viscous residue for compliance and caries risk reduction.
GC Dry Mouth Gel
GC Dry Mouth gel is a dye-free, soothing gel that is available in five flavors, including raspberry, fruit salad, mint, lemon, and orange.2 The gel creates a protective layer on the teeth and buccal mucosa. The product is safe to swallow and can be applied easily with a cotton swab or fingertip.2 The product can be used by patients of any age who are experiencing xerostomia. The gel is sugar-free and pH balanced.
Moisyn by Prisyna
Moisyn is a dry mouth spray with the active ingredients chitosan and arginine.3 The chitosan is hygroscopic, which means it attracts moisture, and it also cleans and removes impurities.3 Arginine is an essential amino acid that balances the pH, while helping to retain moisture.3 When considering this product, is it important to know that chitosan is derived from shellfish.
Spry Moisturizing Mouth Spray
Xlear's Spry Moisturizing Mouth Spray contains purified water, xylitol, aloe vera, vegetable glycerin, natural spearmint flavor, calcium glycerophosphate, cellulose gum, and grapefruit seed extract.4 Calcium glycerophosphate is sourced from mineral deposits and used to support remineralization and balance pH.4 The product comes in two sizes, a 3.5-ounce bottle and a one-ounce bottle that is easy to travel with. Spry recommends using the spray two or more times daily.
3M TheraMints
3M TheraMints are mints sweetened with 100% xylitol that promote salivary flow and reduce the risk of tooth decay.5 The mints come in a bottle of 520 mints with a travel container.5 Xylitol-containing mints are a great alternative to gum chewing for patients who are prone to clenching and grinding.
Xerostomia can range from being asymptomatic to causing severe symptoms that inhibit everyday function, such as swallowing, chewing, and talking. Not all products are easy to use or pleasant tasting. Moreover, when selecting products to recommend our patients, it is important that the active ingredients demonstrate their efficacy for balancing pH and reducing caries risk.
References
- Xerostomia (dry mouth). American Dental Association website. https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/xerostomia. Updated July 8, 2019. Accessed October 14, 2019.
- GC Dry Mouth Gel. GC America website. http://www.gcamerica.com/products/preventive/GC_Dry_Mouth_Gel/. Accessed October 14, 2019.
- Prisyna. Moisyn. 2019. Available at: https://prisyna.com/natural-science/. Accessed October 14, 2019.
- Spry Moisturizing Mouth Spray. Xlear website. https://www.xlear.com/store/spry-dental-defense/dry-mouth-products/xylitol-moisturizing-mouth-spray.html. Accessed October 14, 2019.
- 3M TheraMints. 3M website. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/?N=5002385+3294363122&preselect=8710872+8713393+8747107&rt=rud. Accessed October 14, 2019.
Amber Auger, MPH, RDH, is a practicing dental hygienist and clinical innovations implementation specialist. With 14 years of experience in the dental industry, Auger works with practices to provide customized protocols, refocus on the patient experience, and utilize systemic approaches to periodontal therapy. She is a regular contributor to RDH magazine, a featured author for DentistryIQ, and the host of the #AskAmberRDH Facebook Live series. Auger also provides preventive services abroad yearly and is always willing to have dental professionals join her team. She can be reached at [email protected].
