Effects of gustatory stimulants of salivary secretion on the pH and stimulation of saliva

INTERVENTION: Salivary buffering capacity was assessed in all participants at baseline. The participants were randomly allocate to the control and intervention arms in equal numbers (60 in each arm): 1. Intervention arm: Gustatory stimulant of salivary secretion with xylitol and fluoride ‐ one lozenge of Xerodent® (Alpharma, Sweden) 2. Control arm: Traditional, citric acid based gustatory stimulant of salivary secretion ‐ one lozenge of SST® (Sinclair, UK) Salivary secretion rate and pH changes were recorded at defined time intervals (minute 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 15 and 20) to determine the efficacy of saliva stimulation and dental erosion potential of these lozenges. CONDITION: Xerostomia ; Oral Health ; Diseases of salivary glands PRIMARY OUTCOME: The following were assessed based on the salivary secretion rate and pH changes recorded at minute 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 15 and 20 during the interventions (see interventions section):; 1. GSSS induced salivary pH variations ; 2. Time of GSSS induced pH drop below 5.5 ; 3. Absolute risk reduction (ARR) and number needed to treat (NNT), based on the pH variations (see primary outcomes 1 and 2 above); 4. GSSS stimulated salivary flow SECONDARY OUTCOME: Salivary secretion capacity defined as the difference between mechanically stimulated and basal salivary flow, expressed as ml/min. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Participants (both males and females) aged over 18 years 2. Students of a Portuguese University through 3. Healthy Recruitment was supervised by research assistants.