A comparison of the effects of two commercially available nonprescription mouthrinses on salivary flow rates and xerostomia

Abstract

Objectives. To determine if 2 commercial mouthrinses, 1 alcohol based (Cool-Mint Listerine) and 1 nonalcohol based (Mint Act), affect salivary flow and symptoms of dry mouth in nonxerostomic adults. Study design. Observer-blinded, randomized, crossover pilot study involving 20 adults randomized, 10 each, into 1 of the 2 mouthrinse groups. Objective measurements of whole salivary flow rates (mL/min) and subjective measurement of perceived mouth dryness (VAS scores) were recorded before and 5 minutes after 30 seconds of mouthrinse use both at baseline (visit 1) and at 1 week following daily standard mouthrinse use (visit 2A). Crossover occurred after a 90-minute washout period at the 1-week visit (visit 2B); subjects were given the second mouthrinse and the identical protocol was followed for another 1-week period (visit 3). The primary endpoints of interest were whole salivary flow rates and the perceived mouth dryness VAS scores following 1 week of use. ANOVA was used to determine differences in these endpoints between groups, and ANCOVA was used to control for any variation in baseline flow rates and VAS scores (P < .05). Results. All 20 subjects completed the study. There were no significant differences in gender, age, baseline resting whole salivary flow rates, or VAS scores between the mouthrinse groups. After 1 week of mouthrinse use ANOVA and ANCOVA of combined data (before and after crossover) revealed no significant differences in either flow rates or VAS scores between groups (P > .05). Conclusions. Based upon 20 healthy subjects with normal salivary flow rates who rinsed their mouth for 1 week with a commercially available mouthrinse, there were no differences in objective and subjective measures of mouth dryness between alcohol- and nonalcohol-containing mouthrinses.