Methods: a sample of 20 subjects, consecutively referred to our University Dental Clinic and who have used a dry mouth product in the past 6 months, blind regarding study aims, was split in two groups of 20 using a stratified randomization list, which considered as main prognostic factor the presence of a systemic pathology/drug assumption responsible for the xerostomia onset: group A was treated with the BMG moisturizing gel; group B was treated with the Oral Balance/Biotene gel. At the begin of the trial (t0) each patient received the same toothpaste and toothbrush, the moisturizing gel according to group allocation, and a print-out summarizing the instructions for use of the products. They were asked to complete a "patient questionnaire" at the same time of the day at t0, t1 (after 1st week), t2 (2nd week), t3 (3rd week) and at the end of the trial, t4 (4thweek), and a "daily journal", with a VAS scale and some questions about Quality of Life (QoL) improvement.
Results: unpaired t-test analysis was performed by a statistician blind regarding treatment product assigned to each group. At the baseline there were no statistically significant differences between group A and B (P>.05). During the treatment group A patients reported an higher improvement in their sensation of taste and a better gel taste, whereas group B patients reported an higher reduction in number of night awakenings. With both groups there was an improvement regarding QoL, dry mouth sensation, comfort while chewing, swallowing and talking, with no statistically significant differences between them.
Conclusion: the BMG gel was as effective as the gold standard (Biotene) in giving relief to subjective xerostomia sensation, without any side effect.