Improvement of salivary flow and oral wetness by a lip trainer device and sonic toothbrush in older Japanese men and women with dry mouth

Abstract

Dry mouth, caused by decreased salivary gland function and/or weak salivary stimulation, can severely affect oral health in older individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate whether a lip trainer device and sonic toothbrush can improve salivary flow and oral wetness in older patients complaining of dry mouth. Overall, 39 subjects aged ≥60 years who had at least 20 natural teeth were randomly assigned to use a lip trainer device (group P, n = 13) or a sonic toothbrush (group S, n = 13). The subjects who did not experience oral dryness were included as controls (group C; n = 13). The unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates and oral wetness were measured at baseline, 1 and 6 months. The unstimulated salivary flow significantly increased in both groups at 1 and 6 months (P < 0.05). The stimulated salivary flow was also significantly increased in group P (P < 0.01) compared with the level at baseline. However, no significant difference was observed over time in group S. Oral wetness of the tongue and buccal mucosa in group P had significantly improved at 1 and 6 months (P < 0.05). Dry mouth in older individuals may be improved by using a lip trainer device or a sonic toothbrush.

A narrative review on the use of lip trainer (Patakara) in oral rehabilitation

“…The highly elastic plastic Patakara [14] is made from a polyester-elastomer material (this material is a very highly elastic rubber-polymer-plastic composite) [9]. Due to its resilience, Patakara is designed to be placed between the upper and lower lips in the oral cavity to improve the conditioning of oral musculature [14].…”

“…The highly elastic plastic Patakara [14] is made from a polyester-elastomer material (this material is a very highly elastic rubber-polymer-plastic composite) [9]. Due to its resilience, Patakara is designed to be placed between the upper and lower lips in the oral cavity to improve the conditioning of oral musculature [14]. Patakara consists of two parts: the first part (enters that oral cavity and is called as Pataleara which is considered as the fundamental big part with two sides, upper and lower sides) and the second part (plastic tabs) (Fig.…”

“…Oral training by Patakara can improve the saliva flow, wetness of oral mucosa [14], and oral pain that may present in geriatric-related chronic periodontitis [26]. Hypofunction of the salivary reflex arch (afferent arm, salivary nucleus, and efferent arm) in addition to the progressive cellular loss of the motor nervous system (including the facial nerve and its supplying facial muscles) -is reported with the ageing process.…”

“…Hypofunction of the salivary reflex arch (afferent arm, salivary nucleus, and efferent arm) in addition to the progressive cellular loss of the motor nervous system (including the facial nerve and its supplying facial muscles) -is reported with the ageing process. Repeated contractions and stretching to oro-facial muscles -with the help of Patakara training-trigger the afferent receptors and branches of the facial nerve in facial muscles that, in turn, stimulate the salivary nucleus in the brain that activate the efferent arm (salivary glands) to increase the production saliva flow [14].…”

Effects of Age, Sex, Disease, and Exercise Training on Lip Muscle Strength

“…To obtain a reliable measurement of lip force, a method that induces squeezing of the lips without sucking should be adopted. In addition, there is a lack of studies on the impact of training variables (i.e., exercise intensity, volume, frequency, and training period) on lip strength training [32]. Future studies are needed to better determine if there are dose-response relationships in lip strength training in individuals with and without disease.…”