*Artificial Saliva Product Review*

Estelle_H said:

 

Review/Discussion Of Artificial Saliva Products

 

 

As you may know, there are ongoing “manufacturing issues” with this product, leading to fairly constant difficulties in obtaining it. This is a great shame, as many mouth cancer/radiotherapy patients rely on this.

 

 

Crucially, AS Saliva Orthana is the ONLY product to contain the all-important FLUORIDE. It is also the ONLY produce that contains MUCIN, which is present in endogenous saliva.

 

 

It now looks as though AS Saliva Orthana is not being manufactured at all, now. I have been told that patients’ only chance is to mop up any excess stock that pharmacies may be holding. This is likely to be negligible, as comparatively few people use it in the general population, (which skews the statistics, as so many mouth cancer patients use it!) For example, at the huge Boots in Stafford, there is only one patient who has it: Me!

 

 

I have been trialling alternatives over the past few months, and I’d like to convey this information to other patients, perhaps you can help. To my mind, the more knowledge and information sharing that goes on, the better! I’ve not reviewed Saliva Orthana, as there doesn’t seem much point if people won’t be able to get it! Suffice to say it does have a slightly odd taste, and, if your mouth is tender (residual mucositis), Saliva Orthana stings.

 

 

Saliva Orthana is the most convenient in terms of packaging – the refillable, hygienic, safe 50ml plastic bottle. But, after a few goes with it, you’ll need a good drink of water, as it does ‘build up’ and become sticky. Here’s a mini-review of the alternatives. I really do hope this is helpful:

 

 

GLANDOSANE – (Cell Pharm GmbH, Germany)

 

For:

 

Very gentle, pleasant lemon taste. Would not interfere with other things you were drinking/eating.

 

Lovely texture, no oiliness, no stickiness, no grease – a very light foam. Perfect.

 

This one really feels like your own saliva, more so than any of the others.

 

Available over-the-counter and on prescription.

 

Contains the proper minerals, (Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride and Calcium Chloride).

 

Long lasting moisture, several hours.

 

Can is 50ml, pocket/handbag sized.

 

Seems to keep your mouth moist and silky enough to get the very best out of your speech!

 

The BEST product I have tried so far. In fact, I’d say maybe better than Saliva Orthana.

 

Against:

 

Comes in a metal aerosol tin.

 

Contains Sorbitol – a laxative in frequent use.

 

Very expensive (around £9.00! but you can get it prescribed by your GP instead).

 

 

XEROTIN SPRAY (Difa Cooper S.P.A, Italy) –

 

For:

 

Provides very long lasting moisture.

 

Can give several hours of uninterrupted sleep!

 

If your mouth is VERY sore, even Saliva Orthana will sting. Xerotin will not sting, no matter how sore your mouth is.

 

Contains mineral salts like Saliva Orthana contains.

 

Against:

 

Many people find it oily, it also has a nasty, slightly sweet, greasy taste.

 

It comes in a big, brown glass bottle, hardly handbag sized, and not everyone wants the hassle of decanting stuff into smaller plastic bottles.

 

Available only on prescription.

 

Does not contain Mucin.

 

Does not contain Fluoride.

 

Contains Sorbitol, which can have a laxative effect when used frequently.

 

 

BOOTS EXPERT DENTAL DRY MOUTH SPRAY (Boots, England) –

 

For:

 

Has a minty taste. Very refreshing! Tastes and smells lovely.

 

Lovely texture, no hint of oiliness.

 

Available in 50ml handbag/pocket size.

 

If you buy the 500ml bottle you’ll save a lot of money, then decant it into a smaller bottle.

 

Contains Xylitol. There is a persuasive body of research demonstrating that Xylitol will actually STIMULATE saliva production. And this is VERY exciting – there is peer reviewed research showing that Xylitol causes remineralisation of teeth! This is good news for those of us at risk of ORN.

 

Against:

 

If your mouth is even slightly sore, this stuff will HURT.

 

When you first spray it, your mouth will become very wet. Soon after, it will dry out and you’ll feel thirsty and sticky.

 

Expensive. Not available on prescription. Cheaper if you buy the 500ml and decant. Some people may find that a hassle.

 

Sells very quickly, often out of stock!

 

Contains Castor Oil, Glycerin and Saccharin – laxatives with frequent use! Glycerin also reduces intraocular pressure, which could interfere with medication for Glaucoma?

 

Glycerin is a sugar alcohol, which makes me wonder if it would actually CAUSE tooth decay, and if the alcohol factor could increase the likelihood of tumour recurrence? Alcohol is an established risk factor. I don’t know enough Chemistry to know if this is right, but it’s certainly an interesting question. Remember, we use LOADS of these products: Even if something occurs in a small amount, we are getting lots of that small amount into us!

 

Does not contain Fluoride.

 

Does not contain Mucin.

 

 

BIOXTRA GEL (Lifestream Pharma, Belgium) –

 

For:

 

Provides possibly the longest lasting moisture of all the products I’ve tried (many).

 

Will get you an unparalleled 5 or 6 hours of sleep before the dry mouth wakes you up. You need a fair bit, 5 – 10mls per night, so you’ll get through a fair few 40ml tubes.

 

Taste is acceptable.

 

Contains Xylitol – this is good – see above.

 

Against:

 

Monumentally sticky! It’s also in a tube, and very messy to get into your mouth. Do you hold the tube in the air, tip your head back and squeeze it in downwards, thereby squeezing it onto your face? Do you put some on your finger, very unhygienic, and leaves you with sticky hands. Or do you put the tube nozzle to your mouth (unhygienic) and squeeze directly in? Maybe use a teaspoon? Not very suitable for use out of the house, for these reasons.

 

Because of the longevity of this product, it would be fantastic for speaking at meetings and giving presentations or teaching sessions, but because of the stickiness in your mouth when you’re actually speaking, it’s just too messy.

 

Prescription only.

 

Contains Glycerin and Sorbitol. See above. Laxative effect.

 

INCREDIBLY this product contains Glucose and Dextrose! SUGAR! Is it safe for people at risk of osteoradionecrosis?!

 

 

SALIVEZE (Wyvern Medical Ltd, England) -

 

For:

 

Contains the relevant minerals (listed earlier).

 

pH Neutral (unfair, as I don’t know how acidic the others are; acid causes tooth decay)

 

Handy little plastic bottle pocket/handbag sized

 

Claims to be ‘mint’ flavour.

 

Reasonable moisture given, similar texture to Saliva Orthana, slightly more oily.

 

This is a fair, like-for-like substitute for Saliva Orthana.

 

Against:

 

Personally, I find the taste awful. ‘Ink’, or perhaps ‘oven cleaner’ might be a better description. (I squirted some into my husband’s mouth. He said it wasn’t too bad, but then he hasn’t had half his gob incinerated!).

 

Like Saliva Orthana, after a few goes, it builds up in stickiness. You’ll need a good drink of water sooner or later.

 

My mouth is not currently sore, and this product still seems to sting.

 

Expensive (£6.00 for 50ml, but is available on prescription).

 

Contains Sorbitol and Glycerol – see earlier comments.

Saliva Orthana mucin derived from pigs.

Just looked this up. This product would not be suitable for those who do not eat pork for religious or social reasons, or for strict vegetarians.