Effects of Chewing Gum for Dry Mouth in Diabetes

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Diabetes (DM); Dry Mouth

• Registration Number: NCT07084532
• Lead Sponsor: Çankırı Karatekin University

Brief Summary

Dry mouth can seriously affect the quality of life of individuals because it affects chewing and swallowing functions. One of the diseases in which dry mouth occurs as a side effect of many diseases and/or treatments is diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chewing gum on dry mouth in individuals with diabetes mellitus.

Detailed Description

Diabetic autonomic neuropathy and microvascular changes in the oral mucosa are thought to cause decreased salivary secretion in individuals. Furthermore, poor blood glucose regulation and the accompanying polyuria can cause dehydration, leading to dry mouth and decreased salivary secretion. Decreased salivary secretion and subsequent changes in the oral mucosa have been reported in diabetic individuals with poor glycemic control.

Chewing gum is one of the activities that increases salivary secretion. It affects salivary pH and flow rate through both taste and mechanical stimulation, relieving dry mouth symptoms in individuals. While the unstimulated salivary flow rate in humans is 0.3 ml/min, this rate can reach 7 ml/min in someone chewing gum. Due to these known properties, chewing gum can be beneficial for dry mouth in individuals.

Literature reviews have shown that chewing gum reduces the feeling of dry mouth, increases salivary secretion, and quenches thirst. It is also believed that increased salivary secretion dilutes the bacterial load in the mouth, thus reducing the risk of periodontal disease. It is anticipated that chewing gum may be a factor that can improve the quality of life for patients with chronic diseases that require fluid restriction and a special diet. A review of the literature found no studies demonstrating the effect of gum chewing on dry mouth in individuals with diabetes.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-02-12
• Primary Completion: 2024-06-28
• Study Completion: 2024-06-28
• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-13
• Status Verified: 2025-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-22
• Study First Posted: 2025-07-24
• Last Update Posted: 2025-07-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 80

Inclusion Criteria

The inclusion criteria for individuals in the study were; being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, having an HbA1c value of 7% and above, being able to communicate verbally, not having hearing loss, and accepting the voluntary consent form voluntarily.

Exclusion Criteria

• The exclusion criteria for individuals to be included in the study were having additional diseases that caused dry mouth and oral problems and/or using medication or other treatments for this reason (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, Sjögren syndrome, patients who cannot communicate verbally, have hearing problems, do not want to chew gum, use of antihypertensive, anxiolytic and diuretic drugs).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Improvement in dry mouth in individuals with diabetes	5	The level of dry mouth of the individuals before and after the intervention was defined by the Xerostomia scale. The scale consists of 11 questions. The lowest possible score is 11 and the highest is 55, with higher scores indicating increased dry mouth.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ankara Bilkent City Hospital; 🇹🇷 Ankara, Turkey