Leads: Scientists have developed a saliva substitute that could bring relief to thousands of people suffering from dry mouth.
Dry mouth is a condition in which the salivary glands in the mouth stop producing adequate amounts of saliva.
The condition affects tens of millions of people worldwide and is usually seen in the elderly and in people who have been treated for cancer or take a combination of medications. In severe cases, this condition can cause difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite and dental problems.
A number of products such as tongue gels are available to address this problem. But a team from the University of Leeds has created a new water-based lubricant that is five times more effective than other substances in laboratory tests.
According to scientists, this compound, known as a microgel, keeps the mouth moist like natural saliva and acts as a lubricant during chewing.
The team used lactoferrin, a protein found in milk, to create this alternative.
In powerful microbean, the molecules in the gel appeared like a sponge that binds to the surface of the mouth. There is another compound around the gel that helps retain water, keeping the mouth moist for longer.
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