Saliva substitutes are liquid or spray products that can come to our aid when the salivary glands in our mouth no longer function as they should. Saliva is, in fact, fundamental to oral health. Its absence can cause dry mouth — also known as xerostomia — with the possibility of experiencing not only discomfort and pain, but also genuine damage to teeth and gums as a result of oral pH acidification.
Saliva: Why It Matters
Saliva plays a crucial role in the health of our mouth and our entire body.
Produced by the salivary glands located in different areas of the oral cavity, saliva’s first function is to keep oral tissues hydrated and to help maintain proper oral hygiene. Its composition makes it essential for balancing the mouth’s pH, which naturally tends to become more acidic in the presence of food debris and bacteria. By regulating pH, saliva helps limit the growth of bacteria responsible for plaque and cavities, keeping the mouth healthier.
Keeping the mucous membranes hydrated also protects them from minor injuries that can occur while chewing or swallowing.
But that’s not all! Thanks to its enzymes, saliva also plays an important role in digestion, and it allows us to taste flavors properly by helping transport molecules to the taste buds that detect them.
The most elaborate function of saliva concerns the maintenance and restoration of the correct oral pH. Thanks to one of its components — bicarbonate — saliva performs the role of a buffer system. When we eat, oral pH becomes acidic, but after approximately forty minutes saliva is able to neutralise it.
Why is this so fundamental? Because an acidic mouth is not a healthy mouth: teeth may demineralise, and harmful microorganisms may proliferate, causing troublesome and often very painful conditions such as cavities or oral thrush.
What Happens When We Don’t Have Enough Saliva?
We have seen how important saliva is to our health. When the salivary glands do not function as they should and fail to secrete sufficient saliva, we develop a condition known as xerostomia, or dry mouth. This is a widespread condition, affecting approximately 20% of the population. Women — particularly with the onset of menopause — are more frequently affected, but xerostomia does not spare men either.
The causes are varied, ranging from advancing age — with the consequent slowing of salivary gland function — to the use of certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, but also many more commonly used ones, such as antihistamines. Some diseases may also present xerostomia among their various symptoms.
The reduction in saliva production can cause difficulties in swallowing and chewing, alter the sense of taste, and lead to damage to the teeth and gums.
Preventing or alleviating xerostomia is sometimes possible with a few simple measures: limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding smoking, and drinking plenty of water are all strategies that benefit our health — and not just that of our mouth! Care should also be taken with overly aggressive mouthwashes containing alcohol: these can dehydrate the mucous membranes, leading over time to dry mouth.
However, when xerostomia occurs, it’s important to take action and consult a doctor if the condition worsens.
Sometimes, the salivary glands simply need stimulation. In such cases, consuming foods that promote saliva production, such as lemon juice, or chewing xylitol gum can help.
Sometimes, however, this is not sufficient. Whether because xerostomia has become a chronic problem, or because — following specific medical treatments such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy for head or neck tumours — the salivary glands have permanently ceased to function, the use of a saliva substitute may become necessary.
Artificial Saliva
If our body does not produce sufficient saliva, we can find help in saliva substitutes.
These are liquid or spray products to be applied to the oral mucosa. Their purpose is to simulate the effect of saliva by lubricating the mucous membranes and alleviating the discomfort caused by xerostomia: regular use allows for the regulation of oral hydration, thereby limiting difficulties in swallowing and the alteration of the sense of taste.
Saliva substitutes are the closest available alternative to the complex and effective composition of natural saliva.
Today there are numerous options to choose from when a saliva substitute is required. These are generally over-the-counter products capable of providing temporary relief from dry mouth.
Most substitutes are water-based and include agents that replicate saliva’s texture.
Among these options, Cariex® stands out as a particularly effective alternative. It is a product based on natural substances such as xylitol, hyaluronic acid, and bicarbonate. These ingredients work together to achieve a synergistic effect: on one hand, they stabilise oral pH, intervening instantly to reduce acidity; on the other, they help combat any bacterial or fungal infections that may be a cause or secondary effect of xerostomia. Furthermore, Cariex® moisturises the oral mucosa, providing immediate pain relief.
The spray formulation makes Cariex® easy to use – just a few seconds are enough to relieve dry mouth. Its consistency is designed to adhere to the mucous membranes, offering long-lasting relief. This innovation addresses one of the main limitations of saliva substitutes: the need for frequent applications to maintain effectiveness.
