Background
Besides dental erosion syndrome, other oral syndromes could benefit from the stimulation of salivary secretion, in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Our aims is evaluate the improvement of oral extra-oesophageal manifestations in patients with GORD using xylitolâmalic acid tablets to stimulate salivary secretion.
Material and Methods
The effectiveness of salivary stimulation using xylitolâmalic acid tablets (as a supplement to omeprazole 40 mg/day) was assessed in a clinical trial (n = 14) lasting six months with patients with prior positive pH-metry, through GORD extra-oesophageal clinical signs, GerdQ and RDQ questionnaires, odontological variables, basal salivary secretion, stimulated salivary secretion, pH and buffer capacity, mucosal erythema index and dental wear. Statistics: chi-square (Haberman post-hoc), ANOVA, and Mann-Whitney U; variables between visits were evaluated with McNemarâs Studentâs t and Wilcoxon tests;
p
< 0.05.
Results
100% of patients not taking xylitolâmalic acid presented xerostomia, but only 14.3% of patients taking xylitolâmalic acid (
p
< 0.01) did. The mean saliva-buffer capacity at the last visit for patients not taking xylitolâmalic acid was 2.14 ± 0.38, versus 2.71 ± 0.49 for patients taking xylitolâmalic acid (
p
< 0.05). Retro-sternal burning (
p
< 0.05), heartburn (
p
< 0.05) and regurgitation (
p
< 0.05) were also reduced.
Conclusions
Xylitolâmalic acid tablets improve quality of life among patients with GORD, by reducing dry mouth, increasing saliva buffering and reducing heartburn, retro-sternal burning and regurgitation.
Key words:
Tooth wear, erosion, gastroesophageal reflux, saliva.