title: Erosive potential of calcium-modified acidic candies in irradiated dry mouth patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients who have received irradiation therapy on the head and neck area are known to suffer from reduced saliva flow and may therefore use acidic candies to relieve symptoms of dry mouth. However, such acidic candies have erosive potential even among healthy individuals. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine if calcium-modified acidic candies have reduced erosive potential in irradiated cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen cancer patients (26 to 70 years) ipsilaterally irradiated on the head and neck area sucked control and calcium-modified acidic candies, while their whole saliva was collected into a closed system. The erosive potential of both candies was evaluated from saliva degree of saturation with respect to hydroxyapatite and by dissolution of hydroxyapatite (HAp) directly in candy-stimulated saliva. The results were compared to normative data that were previously obtained on 20 healthy test persons (21 to 29 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference was obtained in the saliva flow rates between control and calcium-modified candy. However, the saliva became significantly less undersaturated with respect to HAp when sucking calcium-modified compared to control candy (P < 0.001) and more undersaturated for both candies in ipsilaterally irradiated cancer patients compared to normative data (P < 0.001). HAp dissolution was found to be significantly lower in patients sucking the modified candy compared to the control candy (P < 0.01) and, surprisingly, slightly lower in patients compared to normative data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modified acidic candy with calcium has reduced erosive potential in patients irradiated on the head and neck area and could therefore be used as a favourable stimulant for relief of dry mouth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. tje@odont.ku.dk
authors.forename: Thorbjörg
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jensdottir
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buchwald
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nauntofte
authors.forename: Hanne Sand
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bardow
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002118:Calcium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002182:Candy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017886:Durapatite; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D017886:Durapatite; D002118:Calcium