Some good news for doctors and patients. The dry mouth moisturizer Moisyn is back on the market!
I've been a big fan of Moisyn since it was first available and was disappointed when it was no longer on the market. Many of my patients loved it and were equally disappointed when they could no longer purchase it. The great new is that you can now order it again through PerioSciences.
Statistics show that 40-50% of adults suffer with some degree of dry mount, which is referred to as xerostomia. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Salivary flow tends to decrease as we age, but there are many other reasons. Some prescription medications can cause reduction in salivary flow and it can also be caused by people who suffer with certain autoimmune diseases as well. It can also be a problem for patients going through chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer.
As a dentist I can tell you from personal experience that patients with xerostomia can be an incredible challenge to keep healthy. Patients with very low saliva levels breakdown quickly and severely. The result isn't just cavities, but rapidly advancing *large* cavities. This can happen even if a patient is incredibly focused on keeping their teeth clean. It can be frustrating to both the patient and the doctor to see continuous problems even with a patient doing everything they can to take the best care of themselves possible.
Xerostomia isn't just annoying (although it is), but it can also be painful and lead to many problems. Saliva performs several important functions for the mouth. One of its most basic and important functions is to keep the mouth and teeth moist. Dry teeth tend to decay faster. Teeth covered with saliva are slick with means food can't stick to them. It also means that acids created by bacteria are diluted and washed away. There are billions of bacteria constantly present in the mouth and many of those bacteria secrete acid. Those acids are what dissolve teeth and create cavities. Good salivary flow washes food particles and those acids off the teeth and help keep them from breaking down.
It also helps wash away bacteria as well. Dry teeth harbor bacteria more readily. That can lead to excessive dental plaque formation which means not only cavities, but also problems with gum health. Often xerostomia can mean lots of decay along with rapidly advancing periodontal disease.
Saliva also contains critical minerals that can help reverse microscopic areas of decay at the very beginning stages. This is referred to as remineralization and it helps keep things healthy.
For people suffering with dry mouth one of the best things to help are rinses that can serve as "saliva substitutes". Of course anything that goes in the mouth has a texture and a taste. A weird texture or a weird taste can affect how often the product is used and that's one of the big reasons I am such a fan of Moisyn.
I learned about it from a friend who was working with the original manufacturer. Normally when I am treating a patient with dry mouth I'll recommend several saliva substitute products. As I mentioned above, finding the right one for every individual can be difficult, hence the list of suggested products. What I quickly discovered was that patients who tried Moisyn really liked it. In fact I can't remember anyone ever saying that they preferred something else and that probably says more about the product than anything else. Patients *like* Moisyn!
Moisyn is based on glycopolymers and its key ingredient is Chitosan, which is a polysaccharide derived from shellfish. It also contains Arginine which is an essential amino acid that helps keep the pH of the mouth neutral and it also enhances moisture retention. It's available as an oral rinse or a spray mist. The great thing about the mist is that it is packaged in 2 ounce spray bottles that can be easily carried in a pocket or purse which means you can always have it handy.
Last week I was at a meeting with the team at VistaApex Solutions and they told me they had purchased the rights to manufacture Moisyn through their company PerioSciences. Needless to say, I was thrilled and I wanted to get the word out to others who love it as well.
This is a product that I really like and *highly recommend*. If you are a doctor OR a patient that is looking for a product that help with dry mouth, I truly feel you should check this out. It's available through the PerioSciences website as well as Amazon and other online retailers.
