Important Developments in Xerostomia Treatment Research

As xerostomia is a condition that affects approximately 20% of the global population, research is constantly underway to discover different treatment options. As of now, there is no cure, but there are several effective xerostomia treatments, such as the SaliPen, meditation, and artificial saliva. In this article, we’ll discuss what xerostomia is, its most common causes and treatments, and the latest research in the field, which will hopefully yield positive developments.

 

Understanding Xerostomia Causes and Treatments

Xerostomia, known colloquially as chronic dry mouth, is a condition in which the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. Saliva is one of those things that we don’t miss until it’s gone — it’s vital in protecting teeth, supporting chewing, swallowing, digestion, and tasting food. It even makes talking easy. 

 

When the salivary glands malfunction, it causes xerostomia, leading to multiple symptoms such as sore throat, excessive thirst, difficulty speaking, chewing, swallowing, and wearing dentures, halitosis, and rampant tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections. 

 

The most common causes of xerostomia include:

• Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer can permanently damage the salivary glands, leading to xerostomia.
• Medications such as antidepressants, antihistamines, certain blood pressure drugs, and muscle relaxants list dry mouth as a side effect. 
• Diseases such Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and others can cause the salivary glands to malfunction.

 

While xerostomia can be challenging to manage, several treatments can help relieve symptoms and protect oral health: 

• Electrostimulation via the SaliPen, a small, FDA-cleared device, stimulates the nerves controlling saliva production through gentle electrical pulses applied inside the mouth. Many people find it to be a convenient and side-effect-free solution. 
• Clinical drugs like pilocarpine and cevimeline stimulate the salivary glands, but often have accompanying side effects.
• Artificial saliva offers temporary dry mouth relief and comes in the form of sugar-free gum, spray, mouthwash, gel, and lozenges. 

 

Current Xerostomia Research

All of the above xerostomia treatment options were developed through meticulous scientific research and clinical trials, and the hope of future research is to yield even more effective treatments.

Several recent xerostomia studies show promise for future research and treatment development. Below we’ll discuss three studies that have been published in the last six months, each of which approaches xerostomia treatment from a different angle. 

 

Salivary Gland Biobank

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have created the world’s first biobank of human salivary gland tissue-organoids, which they hope will overcome one of the most common obstacles in xerostomia research: lack of standardized salivary specimens for studying salivary gland regeneration. Director of the Mayo Clinic Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Dr. Nagarajan Kannan, has hailed the biobank as a crucial foundation for researchers to develop regenerative therapies for radiation-induced dry mouth.

 

The biobank, which now includes samples from 208 individuals, has already yielded valuable insights. Scientists have discovered markers that signal fully developed, saliva-producing cells, and using detailed protein mapping, they’ve also traced the probable source of elusive salivary gland cells capable of self-renewal.

 

Nearly 70% of patients who undergo radiation therapy for head and neck cancer endure permanent damage to their salivary glands, leading to xerostomia, a condition that continues even after the radiation treatment has stopped. Studies show that xerostomia significantly decreases quality of life. 

 

Smart Hydrogel

Researchers at West China Hospital; (Sichuan University) have engineered a “smart” hydrogel, a substance composed of alginate, gelatin, and hyaluronic acid (AGHA) that closely mimics the natural environment of human salivary glands. In lab tests, this gel supported the growth of 3D clusters (spheroids) of acinar cells, specialized cells that produce and secrete saliva. More than 100 cells with 93% viability were generated. 

 

Compared to simpler hydrogels, AGHA notably enabled spheroids to:

• Maintain key salivary proteins like AQP5, ZO-1, NKCC1, and α‑amylase
• Functionally respond to biochemical stimuli
• Be retrieved intact through gentle, reversible ion-exchange, avoiding harsh enzymes

 

For xerostomia research, this hydrogel represents a significant advance toward lab-based restoration of salivary function.

 

More than that, there are other applications as well:

• This type of platform can accelerate the development of disease models, high-throughput drug screening tools, and even implantable grafts. 
• Its versatility in immortalized cell lines and human cells makes it a basis for future regenerative applications.
• It eliminates the need for using animal-derived materials, increasing its clinical relevance and the ability to reproduce it.

 

Limonene-Based Xerostomia Treatment for Cancer Patients

A recent study published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics suggests that combining the natural citrus essential oil, limonene, with a novel lipid-based formulation may be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for xerostomia in cancer patients. Xerostomia affects up to 70% of patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy, severely impacting speech, swallowing, and overall quality of life.

 

While limonene has shown a protective impact on saliva production during radiation therapy, its poor solubility and uncomfortable side effects at high doses typically limit its use. The new formulation dramatically improves limonene’s solubility and bioavailability, enabling lower doses to effectively reduce xerostomia without significant adverse effects.

 

Researchers believe this innovative limonene-lipid combination could significantly enhance comfort, oral health, and quality of life for patients. Clinical trials are underway to further evaluate its safety and efficacy.

 

FAQS

Why is xerostomia research important?

Xerostomia research is important because it helps drive the development of effective xerostomia treatments that can improve the quality of life for people with this debilitating condition. 3Research tackles both alleviation of symptoms and treating impaired salivary gland function at its root causes. 

What causes xerostomia?
Xerostomia can be caused by a variety of factors, including radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, certain medications, and diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and others..

How does xerostomia affect oral health?
The lack of saliva in the mouth caused by xerostomia increases the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, mouth sores, oral infections, halitosis, and difficulty wearing dentures. Saliva is essential for protecting teeth and keeping the mouth clean, so if you experience xerostomia you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

Who should I see if I have xerostomia?
If you have persistent dry mouth, it’s best to consult an oral medicine or pathology specialist.

Can lifestyle changes help manage xerostomia?
Yes, several lifestyle changes can reduce xerostomia symptoms but are typically not enough on their own to treat the condition. Staying well hydrated, avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, and using a humidifier at night are all good lifestyle habits for people with xerostomia. Good oral hygiene practices are also important for preventing oral health complications.

Are there any miracle cures for dry mouth?
As of now, there are no clinical or miracle cures for dry mouth, but researchers like those performing the studies above are working hard on developing long-term solutions that go beyond symptom relief. 

 

What are currently the best xerostomia treatments?
Current xerostomia treatments focus on symptom management. Options include electrostimulation devices like the SaliPen, artificial saliva products like sugar-free gum or lozenges, and medications like pilocarpine and cevimeline. 

 

Where can I purchase the SaliPen?

You can purchase the SaliPen here.