Natrol & Dry Mouth

Saliva is the watery fluid secreted into the mouth. It begins the process of digestion and contributes to oral and dental health. Cathy L. Bartels reports that dry mouth (Xerostomia) is caused when saliva is reduced or absent. It is caused by autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, medication or radiation treatment to the head and neck. In the U.S., about 25 million people experience dry mouth. There are many simple home remedies to relieve dry mouth and several proprietary products, including Natrol Dry Mouth Relief.

Effects of Dry Mouth

• Dry mouth can cause tooth decay.

  Aside from the obvious discomfort of a permanently dry mouth, lack of saliva can cause physical problems. Halitosis (bad breath) is a problem for some people and speech becomes more difficult and less clear.

  Chewing and swallowing food becomes difficult and taste is adversely affected. Saliva is a natural defense against tooth decay and people with reduced or absent saliva need to take very special care of their teeth and seek dental advice.

Homely Remedies

• Pineapple helps relieve a dry mouth.

  According to Robert W. Emery DDS PLLC, relief may be obtained by taking frequent sips of water or sucking on ice chips. Nibbling on partly frozen high-liquid or sharp tasting fruits such as melon and pineapple is useful as is eating celery, cucumber and carrots.

  Sucking sugar-free pastilles or chewing sugar free gum helps stimulate the production of saliva. Lips can be protected from cracking by using petroleum jelly or unflavored and uncolored lip balm. He also suggests Natrol Dry Mouth Relief as a salivary stimulant.

Natrol Dry Mouth Relief

• Natrol Dry Mouth Relief contains anhydrous crystalline maltose (ACM) and comes in the form of 200 mg lozenges to be dissolved in the mouth three times per day. In 2002, the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported research to show that that ACM stimulates the oral glands to produce saliva. The tests revealed that no significant adverse effects were observed in 100 trial subjects suffering dry mouth as a result of Sjögren's syndrome.

History

• Amarillo Biosciences Inc. developed a pharmaceutical grade of ACM.

  ACM is classified as a food supplement and used as a desiccant to preserve foods. Natrol Dry Mouth Relief contains Salive, a pharmaceutical grade of ACM developed by Amarillo Biosciences Inc.

  Sales of the product began in 2001 and in July 2002, the FDA accepted Amarillo's statement that Salive "promotes oral comfort, helps promote normal salivary function, enhances salivary function, helps to relieve occasional dry mouth, helps relieve dry mouth of fluid restricted individuals."

Expert Insight

• As a salivary stimulant (sialagogue), Natrol Dry Mouth Relief is only useful where some salivary function remains. If saliva is completely absent, then saliva substitutes must be used.

  Cevimeline and pilocarpine are available on prescription to stimulate the flow of saliva and are particularly useful at mealtimes but have side effects such as sweating and diarrhea.

  The recommended dose of Natrol Dry Mouth Relief is one lozenge three times daily. Healthline states that "there is no proven effective dose", and that ACM "appears safe, although there is a lack of available reports on adverse events."