Effect of chewing gum containing Zingiber officinale on dry mouth condition in haemodialysis patients compared to chewing gum without Zingiber officinale

Introduction

Xerostomia is the most common presentation of salivary glands dysfunction affecting about 20% of the population. This study investigated the effect of ginger gum on xerostomia and quality of life in haemodialysis patients.

Methods

Thirty patients undergoing haemodialysis with dry mouth were randomly divided to ginger and placebo gum groups. At the beginning of the study, unstimulated and stimulated saliva samples were collected and Xerostomia Inventory (XI) and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-Per14) questionnaires were administered. After 14 days, stimulated and unstimulated saliva samples were collected again and XI and OHIP-Per14 questionnaires were completed. Analysis of covariance was applied for statistical analysis.

Results

The rate of unstimulated salivary flow (P = 0.03) and oral health related quality of life (P = 0.03) were significantly higher in patients that received ginger chewing gum. The amount of stimulated saliva (P = 0.10) and the mean severity of dry mouth (P = 0.19) were higher in patients receiving ginger gum compared to the placebo group, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

With regard to the effect of ginger gum on increasing unstimulated saliva and quality of life, it can be proposed as a safe, inexpensive, and available method to manage dry mouth.