Rheological properties of saliva substitutes containing mucin, carboxymethylcellulose or polyethylenoxide.

Apparent viscosities at different shear rates were measured for 3 types of saliva substitutes: (a) mucin-containing saliva; (b) substitutes based upon carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and (c) solution of polyethylenoxide (PEO). The apparent viscosities were compared with those of human whole saliva. Human whole saliva and mucin-containing saliva substitutes appeared to be similar in their rheological properties. Both types of solution are viscoelastic solutions and adjust their apparent viscosities to their biological functions. Preparations containing CMC or PEO are non-Newtonian liquids. From this study it is concluded that mucin-containing saliva substitutes appear to be the best substitutes for natural saliva, as far as rheological properties are concerned.