Oral mucous membrane flora in patients using saliva substitutes.
Salivary substitutes are sometimes valuable for elderly people and radiotherapy patients, and may be used indefinitely. It is possible that this change in the ecology may effect the oral flora.


OBJECTIVE
To analyse the presence of micro-organisms on oral mucous membranes during use of saliva substitutes.


METHODS
Cross-over single-blind study.


METHODS
Clinic for Maxillofacial Surgery, Malmö University Hospital and Department of Oral Microbiology, Malmö University.


METHODS
19 patients with low salivary secretion who had been radiated for cancer in the head and neck region.


METHODS
Two saliva substitutes: linseed extract and a carboxymethyl cellulose preparation (Salinum and MAS-84) were used for 3 week periods.


METHODS
Microbial samples taken, processed and analysed.


RESULTS
No differences were observed when comparing baseline values with the results after the saliva substitutes and no significant differences between the use of different agents.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that use of linseed extract and carboxymethyl cellulose preparation during periods of weeks does not influence flora commonly related to caries, periodontitis or infections in the oral mucous membranes.
Johansson
G
G
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden. Gunvor.Johansson@od.mah.se
Andersson
G
G
Attstöm
R
R
Edwardsson
S
S
D000328:Adult; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D019597:Flax; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology*; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D014993:Xylitol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015003:Yeasts / Q000302:isolation & purification
C072340:MAS 84; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D014993:Xylitol