Dry Mouth

Xerostomia, dry mouth, is characterized by diminished or arrested salivary secretion.

Most of the saliva, in terms of volume, is secreted from the major salivary glands as a response to chewing. This secretion is almost abolished between meals. During these periods of rest, a mucous secretion is produced by a number of minor salivary glands. The saliva produced by the minor glands has a lubricating nature in comparison with the watery saliva of the major glands. The sensation of a dry mouth is mainly associated with the failure of the minor glands to produce sufficient amount of saliva.

Xerostomia is a frequent problem in patients who has undergone radiation therapy in head and neck cancer. More than 60% of patients who has been irradiated complains of xerostomia. This is also the first target indication for Calabar.

In addition, Sjögren's Syndrome and elderly also suffer from xerostomia. Among people over 50 years, approximately 20% are afflicted. Additionally, more than 400 drugs have reported xerostomia as a common side effect.

Dry mouth is very unpleasant and reduces quality of life considerably. Not only does it generate bad breath and a burning sensation in the mouth, fissures of the lips and tongue, decreased taste acuity, difficulties to swallow and wearing dentures, it may also lead to a discomfort in speaking, teeth erosion, gingivitis and fungal infections.

Current therapeutic approaches against xerostomia are either based on replacement of oral fluids or systematic stimulation of residual salivary function. Salivary replacement is considered as an insufficient substitute and current systemic stimulation drugs are associated with side-effects so severe that a number of patients chose to discontinue their treatment. Hence, the need for new treatment approaches is great for these people.