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Volume 12
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10.3390/gels12010061
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Comparable Effectiveness of Novel and Commercial Saliva Substitute Gels in Dental Patients Experiencing Xerostomia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Crossover Trial

by
Supanee Thanakun
1,*,
Wipaporn Kajornwongwattana
2,
Boonruthai Wattanaurai
3,
Chanchanan Kobutr
3,
Chayapa Parnnium
3,
Kankanit Konta
3,
Pornpailin Vasusopon
3,
Supitchaya Lomloy
3,
Thanapat Songsak
4 and
Suchada Vuddhakanok
3
1
Division of Oral Diagnostic Science, College of Dental Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand
2
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
3
College of Dental Medicine, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand
4
Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Gels 2026, 12(1), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12010061
Submission received: 7 December 2025 / Revised: 2 January 2026 / Accepted: 6 January 2026 / Published: 8 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Gels for Dental Applications)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Saliva substitutes are the standard treatment for dry mouth. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a novel artificial saliva gel (RSU gel) compared with a commercial product (GC Dry Mouth Gel®). A randomized, double-blind, two-phase crossover clinical trial was conducted with 37 participants with xerostomia. In the short-term phase, oral wetness, xerostomia scores, and clinical score of oral dryness (CSOD) were assessed up to 60 min after a single gel application. In the short-term repeated-use phase, each gel was applied 4 times daily for 14 days, separated by a 14-day washout period. The same parameters, including patient satisfaction and adverse events, were re-evaluated. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models and generalized estimating equations. Both the RSU and GC Dry Mouth Gel® significantly improved oral wetness immediately after a single application. No significant difference was observed for the RSU gel relative to the GC Dry Mouth Gel® for oral wetness (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.98, 1.04, p = 0.248), xerostomia score (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 0.42, 2.88, p = 0.661), or CSOD (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.58, 1.55, p = 0.765) at 60 min. After 14 days of use, oral wetness increased significantly in both groups (2.94%, 95% CI 0.30%, 5.76%, p = 0.030) and did not differ significantly between the two products (p = 0.110). The xerostomia scores and CSOD also significantly improved, independent of product type (OR = 7.21, 95% CI 2.56, 20.34, p < 0.001, and OR = 2.82, 95% CI 1.50, 5.32, p = 0.001, respectively). The participants reported high satisfaction and acceptable taste, and no adverse effects were detected in those using the RSU gel throughout the study. Its lower cost and local availability make it a practical option for xerostomia management, particularly in populations with limited access to commercial saliva substitutes.
Keywords: dental application; oral disease prevention; oral wetness; salivary substitute; xerostomia dental application; oral disease prevention; oral wetness; salivary substitute; xerostomia

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Thanakun, S.; Kajornwongwattana, W.; Wattanaurai, B.; Kobutr, C.; Parnnium, C.; Konta, K.; Vasusopon, P.; Lomloy, S.; Songsak, T.; Vuddhakanok, S. Comparable Effectiveness of Novel and Commercial Saliva Substitute Gels in Dental Patients Experiencing Xerostomia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Crossover Trial. Gels 2026, 12, 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12010061

AMA Style

Thanakun S, Kajornwongwattana W, Wattanaurai B, Kobutr C, Parnnium C, Konta K, Vasusopon P, Lomloy S, Songsak T, Vuddhakanok S. Comparable Effectiveness of Novel and Commercial Saliva Substitute Gels in Dental Patients Experiencing Xerostomia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Crossover Trial. Gels. 2026; 12(1):61. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12010061

Chicago/Turabian Style

Thanakun, Supanee, Wipaporn Kajornwongwattana, Boonruthai Wattanaurai, Chanchanan Kobutr, Chayapa Parnnium, Kankanit Konta, Pornpailin Vasusopon, Supitchaya Lomloy, Thanapat Songsak, and Suchada Vuddhakanok. 2026. "Comparable Effectiveness of Novel and Commercial Saliva Substitute Gels in Dental Patients Experiencing Xerostomia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Crossover Trial" Gels 12, no. 1: 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12010061

APA Style

Thanakun, S., Kajornwongwattana, W., Wattanaurai, B., Kobutr, C., Parnnium, C., Konta, K., Vasusopon, P., Lomloy, S., Songsak, T., & Vuddhakanok, S. (2026). Comparable Effectiveness of Novel and Commercial Saliva Substitute Gels in Dental Patients Experiencing Xerostomia: A Randomized, Double-Blind Crossover Trial. Gels, 12(1), 61. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12010061

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