No saliva !

[KICKSTART]

These past few weeks i have noticed my mouth had become 'bone dry'. While at home i can cope with sucking ice , but when i go out i cant do this , also it begining to make meal times not so good , im not enjoying my food so much because my mouth is so dry. Im due at my clinic on thursday , so any suggestions would be great , i have had some gum , but that was useless and i dont always want a 'mint' taste in my mouth ! For suggestions remember im in the  so we might not have the same stuff available !

[Rerun]

Are you on any new medications?  Sometimes a BP medication will cause dry mouth.  Hope you solve this soon.

               

[twirl]

I found some gum at Academy - a sport's store
it is said to produce more spit in your mouth
athletic people use it
can't remember the name
it was sold at the register
seems like it worked but chewing gum gives me a headache
what about real sour lemon balls

[twirl]

me again, the gum is called "Thirst Quench"

[twirl]

if you can't find the gum I will be happy to send you a pack

[okarol]

  This is all probably info you already know - but it's what I could find:

Dry Mouth

People whose kidneys have failed – particularly those who are undergoing dialysis treatments – often find they have problems with dry mouth. At the very least, dry mouth is uncomfortable. But at the very worst, it can make it difficult to speak or swallow and can cause a variety of other problems including cracked lips and bad breath.

Bacteria live in your mouth all the time, and some will form plaque (a sticky material that coats the surface of the teeth). Plaque bacteria use sugar and starch from foods to produce acids that can destroy tooth enamel by dissolving minerals.

Medications such as blood pressure pills, depression and allergy medications can cause dry mouth. Fluid restriction, fluid imbalance and warm weather will also contribute to dry mouth. Since a dry mouth allows bacteria to grow, it can start tooth decay and infection, and can contribute to bad breath.

To prevent dryness in the mouth, it’s important to:

    * Avoid caffeinated drinks, acidic/spicy foods, tobacco and alcohol
    * Use ice cubes, sugarless gum or sugarless candy
    * Use artificial saliva

Things to do for the freshest mouth:

    * Brush teeth at least two times daily for three minutes each session.
    * Floss between teeth daily.
    * For dentures, make sure that they are clean and free from any food particles to prevent gum disease and infection.
    * Maintain regular check-ups with a dentist.

(information courtesy of the Renal Dietitians, Northern Alberta Renal Program) http://www.kidneyfoundation.ab.ca/Be_Informed/about/about_drymouth.htm

.............

Here's info about artificial saliva (UK):

ARTIFICIAL SALIVA
Artificial salivas help to provide relief of dry mouth. They should be used only in conjunction with standard oral hygiene and mouth care. Patients should be encouraged to adopt helpful strategies such as sucking boiled sweets and sipping ice-cooled drinks.1 The proportion of patients prescribed an artificial saliva varies widely between palliative care services.
Ideally artificial saliva should be of a neutral pH and contain electrolytes (including fluoride) to correspond approximately to the composition of saliva. Proprietary artificial salivas available in the UK include:
• pastilles containing acacia, malic acid etc. (Salivix®)
• porcine gastric mucin spray and lozenges (AS Saliva Orthana®)
• carmellose-based sprays (Glandosane®, Luborant®, Salivace®, Saliveze®)
• hydroxyethylcellulose-based gel (Oralbalance®); contains salivary peroxidase which enhances the production of hypothiocyanite, an antibacterial ion.
Luborant is licensed for any condition giving rise to a dry mouth; AS Saliva Orthana®, Salivace®, Saliveze®, Glandosane®, Oralbalance® and Salivix® pastilles have approval for dry mouth associated with radiotherapy or sicca syndrome. AS Saliva Orthana® has a sorbitol base which is cooling to taste. Artificial salivas are generally used frequently, including before and during meals. Studies suggest that mucin-based preparations are less sticky but, paradoxically, remain in the mouth for longer and need to be taken less often.2,3 Many patients find no additional benefit with carmellose-based preparations compared with frequent tea, coffee, milk or fruit juice.

Supply and use
Salivix® (Provalis 01244 288888)
Pastilles (sugar-free) acacia, malic acid, etc. 50 = £2.86. Use p.r.n.

AS Saliva Orthana® (AS Pharma 01908 371025)
Lozenges mucin 65mg, xylitol 59mg in sorbitol, 45 = £3.03. Use p.r.n.
Oral spray gastric mucin 3.5%, xylitol 2%, sodium fluoride 4.2mg/ml, 50ml = £4.25; 450ml refill = £29.69. Apply 2–3 sprays p.r.n.

Biotene Oralbalance® (Anglian 01438 743070)
Saliva replacement gel lactoperoxidase, glucose oxidase and xylitol in gel, 50g tube = £3.69. Apply p.r.n.

The above are classified in the UK as borderline substances and prescriptions must be endorsed 'ACBS'.

Luborant® (Antigen 01704 562777)
Oral spray sorbitol 1.8g and carmellose sodium 390mg in 60ml, 60ml unit = £3.96. Apply 2–3 sprays q.d.s. p.r.n. (NB: may be difficult to obtain. )

Biotene® (Anglian 01438 743070)
Mouthwash and toothpaste (Unlicensed, available as named patient items from Anglian; see Special orders and named patient supplies.) Also available with the saliva replacement gel as a total package for dry mouth (Oralbalance® system).

http://www.palliativedrugs.com/content/monographs/ARTIFICIAL%20SALIVA.html

[KICKSTART]

okarol ..thanks for that info  as i said earlier the gum is useless and sucking sweets just makes me thirsty! I will mention that spray on thurs got to be worth a try !

[glitter]

my husband had a lot of issues with this.... Walmart now stocks the toothpaste the mouthwash and the oral spray  the brand is Oasis  he said it helps- the sour candy helps prodice a quick rush of saliva, but he still prefers tootsiepops. I do think unfortunatly there is no perfect answer,but try it all maybe something will work.