Scientists have invented a ‘saliva substitute’ that could bring hope for hundreds of thousands of people suffering from dry mouth. It is most prevalent among older people and those who have had cancer treatment or need to take a mix of medicines, and in severe cases can result in discomfort swallowing, malnutrition and dental problems.
There are certain products available to help deal with the issue, such as gels that go onto the tongue. But a new water-based lubricant, designed by a team at the University of Leeds, is up to five times more effective in laboratory tests.
The substance, known as a microgel, has been described as comparable to natural saliva in the way it hydrates the mouth and acts as a lubricant when food is chewed.
The team used lactoferrin, a protein found in milk, as part of their design.
Under a powerful microscope the molecules in the gel appear as a sponge which binds onto the surface of the mouth.
Surrounding the gel is another substance which helps to trap water, keeping the mouth feeling hydrated for longer. The team tested it against eight currently available products in a laboratory using an artificial tongue-like surface, and discovered their new lubricant stayed on the tongue for much longer.
Prof. Anwesha Sarkar, who led the development of the saliva substitute, said: ‘Our laboratory benchmarking reveals that this substance will have a longer-lasting effect.
‘The problem with many of the existing commercial products is they are only effective for short periods because they do not bind to the surface of the mouth, with people having to frequently reapply the substance, sometimes while they are talking or as they eat. That affects people’s quality of life.’
Although testing of the new product has involved just laboratory analysis, the scientific team believes the results will be replicated in human trials.
– Daily Mail.uk
