Effect of a mouth rinse containing amyloglucosidase and glucose oxidase on recurrent aphthous ulcers in children and adolescents.

Recurrent aphthous ulcers are one of the most common painful diseases affecting the oral mucosa in children and adults. The aetiology is poorly understood and the treatment thus has for years mostly been symptomatic. However, there has been some promising methods in decreasing the frequency of aphthous ulcer episodes. One of these is the use of a dentifrice containing the combination of the enzymes amyloglucosidase and glucose oxidase (Zendium). The aim of this investigation was, in a pre-study and a double-blind, crossover study, to report if a mouth rinse containing the same enzymes was effective against aphthous ulcers. Thirty-six children and adolescents 7 to 19 years of age took part in the pre-study and thirty-three children and adolescents 7 to 19 years of age took part in the double-blind, crossover study. In both tests the mouth rinses with enzymes resulted in a significant reduction in the number of new aphthous ulcers and pain. In the double-blind, crossover test the 33 children experienced 60 episodes of new ulcers during a 6-month period, including a 3-month period with enzyme rinsings, compared to 221 episodes when rinsing with placebo solution. 55% of the children were completely free from ulcers during the enzyme solution rinsing period followed by a 3-month recovery period compared to 0% when rinsing with placebo. The study confirms earlier studies. Daily rinsing with the enzyme solution can be a recommended treatment to children and adolescents with recurrent aphthous ulcers.