💧 Dry mouth – What helps when saliva is missing?

Xerostomia (the feeling of a dry mouth) affects an estimated 20% of the general population, up to 30% of women, and as many as 50% in the elderly.

The causes are diverse:

- 400+ medications are associated with dry mouth, including antidepressants, antihypertensives, antihistamines and diuretics

- Chronic conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome or diabetes

- Radio- or chemotherapy in the head and neck region

Especially in older age, other health issues often take priority – and dry mouth is overlooked. Yet its consequences are significant:

- Increased risk of caries, gum disease and infections

- Sleep disturbances, pain and a noticeable loss in quality of life

And the treatment?

A major Cochrane meta analysis including 36 studies shows:

👉 There is no strong evidence that common topical therapies such as sprays, gels, mouth rinses, lozenges or chewing gum reliably reduce dry-mouth symptoms.

👉 Some products show moderate short-term benefits, but overall effects remain small and inconsistent.

👉 Long-term improvements in quality of life are barely documented in the studies.

However, research is moving forward. New approaches and technologies aim to close the gaps of existing therapies – for example, solutions that offer longer-lasting moisture or innovative mechanisms of action.

We will soon introduce one of these new concepts 💙

Source: Furness, S; Worthington, HV; Bryan, G; Birchenough, S; McMillan, R (7 December 2011). Furness, Susan (ed.). "Interventions for the management of dry mouth: topical therapies". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (12) CD008934. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008934.pub2. PMID 22161442.