What should be considered when choosing or prescribing saliva substitutes?

Published 4 February 2020

Topics: Dentistry

Dry mouth is a complaint often presented to dental practitioners.
There are a number of products available to manage this condition, however not all are suitable for every individual.
Dentate patients in particular should avoid preparations with an acidic pH, due to increased risk of dental decay.
A fluoride-containing preparation is preferable for dentate patients.
Dental practitioners should be aware that not all preparations may be prescribed on a dental NHS prescription. However, all available products can be purchased from a pharmacy without a prescription.
Table 1 lists artificial saliva products, key information about their formulation and whether or not they can be prescribed on a dental NHS prescription.

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