Efficacy of oral balance gel for dry mouth in preoperative patients

BACKGROUND: Following anticholinergic premedication and preoperative fasting, preoperative patients with a potential xerostomia have complaints associated with oral dryness. Xerostomia may lead to risk of mucosal burning and secondary infection. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the effect of oral balance gel on dryness of the mouth in preoperative patients. METHODS: Thirty nine patients scheduled for elective surgery were randomly assigned to either of the group with or without using the oral balance gel. Severity of the dry mouth was assesed using a 4-point scale (0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe) and diadochokinesis test was performed on the day before surgery and on arrival at the OR. RESULTS: Comparing results of the two stages, we found that patients with no treatment had significantly deteriorated state of dry mouth, but patients who had received the oral balance gel had no significantly worse dry mouth compared with the preoperative state. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, patients without the oral balance gel frequently reported oral symptons and oral dysfunction associated with xerostomia. We conclude that the use of oral balance gel in preoperative patients is effective for the prevention of dryness of the dry mouth.