Comparison between saliva stimulants and saliva substitutes in patients with symptoms related to dry mouth. A multi-centre study.

Five saliva stimulants (Salivin, V6, Mucidan, Ascoxal-T and Nicotinamide) and three saliva substitutes (Saliment, Salisynt and an ex témpore solution) were evaluated in 106 patients with a low salivay flow rate and a long history of dry mouth. The study was carried out as a multi-centre study in collaboration with ten different hospital dental clinics. The participants were interviewed about their complaints related to dry mouth. Each patient was then asked to use the eight saliva stimulants and substitutes for 14 days in a randomized order with one week intervals. After the 14-day-periods, the patients were interviewed about the effect of the various products by a dentist using a standardized questionnaire. Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva samples were collected after each test period. The most serious complaints among the patients were, besides dryness of the mouth, difficulty to talk and difficulty to swallow. The results showed that all eight tested saliva stimulants and substitutes relieved the symptoms of dry mouth to some extent. However, V6 chewing gum and Salivin lozenge were ranked as the two best products by the patients. No long-term effect was found with any of the eight products on the flow rate of paraffin-stimulated whole saliva.