Xerostomia

Dry Mouth

Oral dryness is a complex condition, often underestimated and particularly frustrating for those who experience it. It is very common among older adults, especially women, affecting about a quarter of the population.

Saliva plays a fundamental role in many processes: it not only keeps the mouth moist, but also aids in food digestion, protects teeth from decay, prevents infections by controlling oral bacteria, and enables proper chewing and swallowing.

The Importance of Saliva

An adult produces about two liters of saliva per day; without it, normal daily life would be difficult.

Saliva is composed of 98% water, which performs essential functions such as forming the food bolus, aiding swallowing, lubrication, cleaning, taste perception, and protecting the mouth from extreme temperatures.

The remaining 2% consists of enzymes and electrolytes vital for oral health. These include: Amylase and Lipase, essential for the initial phase of digestion in the mouth, Lysozyme, which has antibacterial properties, and Bicarbonate, which plays a key role in maintaining a neutral oral pH (buffer system).

It is therefore clear that a reduced saliva flow can have serious consequences beyond just dry mouth, including difficulty or pain when swallowing and poor digestion.

The greater the reduction in saliva, the more damage occurs in the oral cavity. Without the buffering action of bicarbonate, the mouth becomes acidic, creating an ideal environment for fungi and bacteria that can lead to ulcers, canker sores, stomatitis, gum inflammation, oral thrush, bad breath, and cavities.

Symptoms and Causes

This problem can range from a mild, temporary reduction in saliva flow – caused by stress, anxiety, nervousness, or excessive alcohol consumption – to more severe conditions affecting oral health, including the gums, mucous membranes, and teeth.

Dry mouth, also known as Xerostomia, represents merely the symptom of a range of conditions that, in various ways, affect the salivary glands and their capacity to produce saliva. Although a direct scientific link between reduced salivary flow and age has not yet been established, there is a clear correlation between pharmacological therapies and the lack of salivary flow in elderly patients.

Several diseases, such as Sjögren’s Syndrome, Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, are associated with Xerostomia, as are individuals undergoing radiotherapy.

Remedies

Treatments for xerostomia can include medications that increase saliva flow, provided there is still some gland function, often combined with the use of saliva substitutes.

Among these, Cariex® stands out — a dental spray, a completely natural product based on Bicarbonate, Xylitol, and Hyaluronic Acid, developed in collaboration with the University of Insubria in Varese. Ideal as a saliva substitute, it is capable of performing the essential buffering action required in the presence of Xerostomia.

Bicarbonate, naturally present in saliva itself, is essential for counteracting the acidic environment and maintaining oral pH at a neutral level. Xylitol, also known as wood sugar, benefits the teeth, reduces plaque formation, and inhibits bacterial growth. Hyaluronic Acid is an excellent lubricant and moisturising agent, ideal for combating oral inflammations and ulcerative lesions of the mouth (aphthous ulcers, stomatitis).

4 to 5 sprays of Cariex® directly into the oral cavity are recommended multiple times a day and whenever needed – every time a sensation of dry mouth is experienced, with no contraindications. Above all, use is strongly recommended before bedtime, as the salivary glands undergo a physiological reduction in saliva production during the night, making the mouth more prone to becoming dry and bitter.