Many patients complain of having a dry mouth (xerostomia), and are seeking all relief for this problem, but equally important, many dental patients suffer from reduced production of saliva at rest (i.e. between meals) and are not aware that they have lost the natural protection provided by saliva.
Regardless of the cause, the consequences of lowered saliva production at rest include an imbalance (dysbiosis) of the oral microflora, leading to a greatly increased risk of dental caries and oral fungal infections. Reduced saliva also increases the risk of root surface sensitivity and dental erosion (acid tooth wear), and compromises speaking and swallowing.
Many conditions can contribute to impaired production of saliva, including inadequate fluid intake in patients of any age due to increased loss of body fluid (e.g. due to caffeine, alcohol, mouth breathing, and strenuous exercise). Any substances which reduce the flow of blood to the saliva glands (e.g. nicotine), or that influence the various centres within the brain that control saliva production can also depress the production of saliva. Most illegal substances and their legal counterparts (including opioids for pain control, and medicinal cannabis) also have the same effect.
Over 200 prescription medications will also reduce salivary flow, as can many autoimmune conditions (including those linked to rheumatoid arthritis), chronic blood-borne viral infections and medical interventions such as radiation therapy. When patients suffer from impaired production of saliva, it is not always possible to address the root cause, especially when it relates to the patient’s underlying medical condition. It then becomes important to use a product which can replace some of the functions of saliva and at the same time prevent consequences of reduced protection.
GC Dry Mouth Gel is a unique product designed specifically to maintain a neutral or near neutral pH in the mouth, using a buffer system. This design feature is missing from other dry mouth relief products on the market. A neutral oral pH is important for preventing mineral loss from the teeth, and for stopping the inevitable overgrowth of acid-tolerant bacteria and fungi which occurs when the oral pH falls.
One application of Dry Mouth Gel can provide up to 4 hours of relief from dry mouth. The gel can be applied as often as needed and there is no limit on the number of times it can be used during the day. The gel is clear and forms an invisible protecting layer over the teeth and over the oral soft tissues to protect them and to provide comfort and relief from dryness. It does not stain the teeth or any prostheses or appliances that are present in the mouth.
Another important design characteristic of GC Dry Mouth Gel is that is compatible with topical CPP-ACP products, such as GC Tooth Mousse Plus, that are highly effective remineralising and desensitising agents. It can be used simultaneously with GC Tooth Mousse Plus, with the Dry Mouth Gel serving as a protective blanket for the oral tissues, and the Tooth Mousse Plus all as a protective layer for the teeth. In fact, many elderly patients who experience dry mouth have found that the combination of vanilla flavoured Tooth Mousse Plus and raspberry flavoured Dry Mouth Gel is very appealing, as it recreates the popular strawberry and cream taste. There are five different flavours in the range for patients to choose from (raspberry, mint, fruit salad, orange and lemon).
Using Dry Mouth Gel in the evening and then applying it immediately before retiring at night can reduce the likelihood of waking up during the night with a very dry mouth. As well, effective relief of dry mouth during the afternoon and evening makes it less likely that the patient will drink excessive amounts of water to try to keep their oral tissues moist. Overloading with water then leads to interrupted sleep because of the need to urinate during the night.
As well as being used to protect the teeth, another common and important use for GC Dry Mouth Gel is as a replacement for saliva beneath upper full dentures, where it provides the necessary cohesion for retention. The gel has two separate thickening agents (carboxymethylcellulose and carrageenan - a linear polysaccharide extracted from edible seaweed) that give it a suitable viscosity to replace saliva beneath dentures. By maintaining a neutral pH, the likelihood of Candida or other fungal species growing beneath the denture is reduced.
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EMERITUS PROFESSOR LAURENCE WALSH
Brisbane, Queensland