Composition for treating xerostomia or dry mouth

Abstract

The present invention provides a composition comprising olive oil, trimethylglycine and xylitol for treating xerostomia and disorders associated thereto, with very good results in increasing the unstimulated salivary flow, in alleviating the symptoms of xerostomia, including the pain associated to xerostomia, as well as improving the quality of life of affected persons. The composition of the invention has also been proved to protect dentin against demineralization in acid conditions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention refers to the field of treatment of oral cavity disorders. Specifically, the invention refers to a composition for treating xerostomia and its associated problems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Saliva is a natural fluid whose function is essential for oropharyngeal, digestive and general health. Salivary function is apparently simple; however, the complexity of its composition reflects its large number of properties. When the amount or quality of saliva diminishes, multiple problems occur called xerostomia or “dry mouth” or “burning mouth”.[0003]The WDF (World Dental Federation) defines it as the “modern man's disease” due to its high incidence. The percentages it has established range from 20% in people around 20 years of age, and 40% in people of 60 years of age, being higher in older age groups.[0004]Xerostomia or dry mouth is a universal problem that can affect anybody, independently of their sex, race, age or other conditions. However...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Salivary function is apparently simple; however, the complexity of its composition reflects its large number of properties.

When the amount or quality of saliva diminishes, multiple problems occur called xerostomia or “dry mouth” or “burning mouth”.

The consequences of said xerostomia in the first group are very manifest, since an alteration of the natural buffering capacity of saliva also occurs a few months after syndrome insaturation, due to the deficit in salivary flow, leading to short-term structural deterioration of the hard tissues in the mouth (teeth).

In toothed patients with xerostomia, the saliva that under normal physiological conditions acts as a defence, barrier and reinforcement, is no longer effective or sufficient to slow down the demineralization of enamel and dentin caused by daily aggressions (cariogenic bacteria, acids, drops in pH, dental bruxism or clenching .

. . ) Thus, for example, rapidly evolving caries and atypical caries such as neck caries occur as a result of the postprandial (after eating) decrease in oral pH, which can completely destroy teeth in a few months.

Furthermore, a whole series of symptoms and signs can occur, independently of whether there are teeth or not, which can even alter the patient's quality of life.

Xerostomia makes talking, chewing and swallowing difficult, and also oral hygiene since it favours the accumulation of dental plaque because the salivary flow no longer washes out bacteria.

Furthermore, it reduces the buffer effect of saliva, making the pH become acid and destroying the teeth.

At a local level it can cause a feeling of burning and / or pain in the soft tissues and in the tongue, a need for moisturizing the mouth at short time intervals, leaves surfaces of the teeth rough, a sliver of saliva between the teeth or the tongue and the palate, a feeling of pressure or tightness in a group of teeth and even pain.

It causes a fast progression of tooth decay, it facilitates periodontal diseases (gingivitis), and it wears out teeth due to greater abrasion and friction without lubrication between dental surfaces.

Likewise, xerostomia affects the sufferers quality of life from the point of view of sociability: there is a lack of interest for eating in company, for going out or for talking in groups.

1. Consumption of mouth-drying drugs: More than 500 families of drugs have xerostomia as a side effect, this being one of the main reasons for medication discontinuation by patients. These are responsible for most cases of xerostomia. Salivary deficiency usually lasts a long time after an extended treatment, despite drug discontinuation.

In any case, it is important to diagnose and treat xerostomia because as well as the loss of quality of life for the patient, it also seriously affects the patient's health.

Until now there have only been failed attempts regarding treatment, focused on imitating natural saliva with artificial products that try to substitute the absent natural saliva.

Thus, until now attempts had been made in the sense of creating artificial salivas, although said products are not exempt of critiques, since in general, due to their rheologic and organoleptic features, they are usually gels with acid, even very acid, pH levels, with the subsequent risk this entails for the dry mouth patient.

However, it has not been possible to prove its capacity per se for stimulating salivary flow (Caries Res. 1993; 27(1):55-9; Caries Res. 1999; 33(1):23-31).

However, the combined use of olive oil, xylitol and trimethylglycine has not been described in the state of the art as a therapeutic composition for improving salivary physiological function in treating xerostomia.

On the other hand, the results obtained from the erosion protection studies enclosed do not reveal any capacities of olive oil for protecting against demineralisation under the conditions in which the combination of the three ingredients do so in enamel and dentin.

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