NCT07084532

Effects of Chewing Gum for Dry Mouth in Diabetes

The Effect of Chewing Gum on Dry Mouth in Individuals With Diabetes Mellitus

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (actual)
• Sponsor: Çankırı Karatekin University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Dry mouth can seriously affect the quality of life of individuals because it affects chewing and swallowing functions. One of the diseases in which dry mouth occurs as a side effect of many diseases and/or treatments is diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chewing gum on dry mouth in individuals with diabetes mellitus.

Detailed description

Diabetic autonomic neuropathy and microvascular changes in the oral mucosa are thought to cause decreased salivary secretion in individuals. Furthermore, poor blood glucose regulation and the accompanying polyuria can cause dehydration, leading to dry mouth and decreased salivary secretion. Decreased salivary secretion and subsequent changes in the oral mucosa have been reported in diabetic individuals with poor glycemic control. Chewing gum is one of the activities that increases salivary secretion. It affects salivary pH and flow rate through both taste and mechanical stimulation, relieving dry mouth symptoms in individuals. While the unstimulated salivary flow rate in humans is 0.3 ml/min, this rate can reach 7 ml/min in someone chewing gum. Due to these known properties, chewing gum can be beneficial for dry mouth in individuals. Literature reviews have shown that chewing gum reduces the feeling of dry mouth, increases salivary secretion, and quenches thirst. It is also believed that increased salivary secretion dilutes the bacterial load in the mouth, thus reducing the risk of periodontal disease. It is anticipated that chewing gum may be a factor that can improve the quality of life for patients with chronic diseases that require fluid restriction and a special diet. A review of the literature found no studies demonstrating the effect of gum chewing on dry mouth in individuals with diabetes.

Conditions

• Diabetes (DM)
• Dry Mouth

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Chewing gum	Dry mouth was diagnosed in the initial assessment of diabetic individuals assigned to the intervention group. Following the assessment, they were asked to chew gum for 15 minutes before each main meal for seven days. Dry mouth was re-evaluated with the Xerostomia Scale seven days later.
OTHER	Standart therapy group	The control group was informed about the study. They were then assessed for dry mouth. They were asked to follow their standard treatment. They were warned not to chew gum. A day later, dry mouth was assessed again without any treatment.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-02-12
• Primary completion: 2024-06-28
• Completion: 2024-06-28
• First posted: 2025-07-24
• Last updated: 2025-07-24

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)