ASSESSMENT OF DRY MOUTH SEVERITY FOLLOWING THE USE OF CHITOSAN MOUTH SPRAY

Abstract

Xerostomia is a common oral health condition that significantly impairs quality of life. Chitosan, a biocompatible polymer exhibiting mucoadhesive properties, has been widely used for medical applications. This randomized, double-blind pilot study evaluated dry mouth severity following the use of a 0.5% chitosan mouth spray compared with a mouth spray without chitosan in 12 volunteers with xerostomia (6 per group) over a 30-day period. Dry mouth severity was assessed using the Xerostomia Inventory (XI), and adverse effects were monitored. Results showed that the 0.5% chitosan mouth spray significantly reduced xerostomia scores after 30 days compared to baseline. However, no statistically significant differences in pre- and post-use score changes were observed between the 0.5% chitosan mouth spray and the mouth spray without chitosan. Furthermore, the 0.5% chitosan mouth spray specifically reduced difficulty in swallowing and improved dry lip sensations. Both groups reported mild adverse effects with no significant intergroup differences.

Keywords: Xerostomia, Chitosan, Mouth Spray, Xerostomia Inventory, Adverse Effect