The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of denture adhesives on oral moisture in a 10-center parallel randomized clinical trial. Two hundred edentulous subjects wearing complete dentures were allocated into three groups: cream-type adhesive, powder-type adhesive and control groups. The adhesives (and saline solution in the control group) were applied to the mucosal surface of the dentures for 4 days, and baseline data and data after the intervention for eight meals over 4 days were obtained. For the main outcome, oral moisture was measured with a moisture checking device. Secondary outcomes were denture satisfaction, masticatory performance, denture retention, and occlusal force. In addition to between-group and within-group comparisons of oral moisture, investigations for secondary outcomes were undertaken in subgroups classified according to the degree of oral moisture at baseline (normal subgroup and dry mouth subgroup). Intention-to-treat analysis was also performed. Between-group and within-group comparisons of oral moisture showed no significant differences. The cream-type and powder-type denture adhesives were significantly effective in the dry mouth group for denture satisfaction ratings of ability to masticate, stability, retention, and comfort of mandibular dentures (p<0.05). The masticatory performance and retentive force of the dry mouth denture adhesive using groups were significantly improved after intervention (p<0.05). The oral moisture of complete denture wearers was not influenced by the use of denture adhesives. Our findings showed that denture adhesives improved subjective denture satisfaction, masticatory performance, and retention for complete denture patients with oral dryness.

Background: The aim of this double-blind randomized cross-over trial was to evaluate the effect of oral intake of glucosylceramide extracted from pineapple on oral moisture and xerostomia symptoms. Methods: Sixteen participants who had xerostomia symptoms were randomly allocated into two groups. One group received, as test samples, tablets containing glucosylceramide extracted from pineapple (GCP) followed by placebo tablets. The other group received the test samples in the reverse order. Participants were instructed to take tablets of the first test sample once a day (after breakfast) for two consecutive weeks. Then, after a washout period of four weeks, participants were instructed to take the other test sample for two consecutive weeks. The oral moisture level of the lingual mucosa, xerostomia symptoms, and the number of fungiform papillae was evaluated. Results: The oral moisture significantly increased, and the visual analog scale (VAS) of “How is the dryness of your mouth?” significantly improved after GCP tablets intake and not after placebo tablets intake. The number of fungiform papillae was not significantly different following the intake of GCP tablets or placebo tablets. Conclusion: Results suggested that oral intake of GCP may improve the moisture level and xerostomia symptoms.

Background: Oral hypofunction is the stage before oral dysfunction. The subjective symptoms of poor oral function and the decline in oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) that occur in the oral hypofunction stage can be missed.Objective: This multicentre cross‐sectional study was performed to examine the relationships between the test results for oral hypofunction, subjective frailty symptoms and OHRQoL of outpatients in dental clinics.Methods: The basic characteristics and oral function test results of 637 dental clinic outpatients were evaluated. The subjective symptoms of physical and oral frailty were investigated using a questionnaire. OHRQoL was assessed using the Japanese short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP‐JP16) and OHRQoL dimension score.Results: The overall prevalence of oral hypofunction was 37.8%, with no significant difference between men and women. No significant differences in the presence or absence of subjective symptoms of frailty and a high OHIP score were observed based on sex. However, the prevalence of oral hypofunction was significantly different among the age groups and increased with age. The subjective symptoms of frailty score, OHIP score and OHRQoL dimension score were significantly higher in patients with versus without oral hypofunction. Age, number of underlying diseases, total score for subjective symptoms of frailty, total score for OHIP and OHRQoL dimension score were significantly associated with oral hypofunction.Conclusion: Oral hypofunction may affect the subjective symptoms of frailty and OHRQoL in older adults.

Denture adhesives, characterized as medical products in 1935 by the American Dental Association, have been considered useful adjuncts for improving denture retention and stability. However, many dentists in Japan are hesitant to acknowledge denture adhesives in daily practice because of the stereotype that dentures should be inherently stable, without the aid of adhesives. The aim of this study is to verify the efficacy of denture adhesives to establish guidelines for Japanese users. The null hypothesis is that the application of denture adhesives, including the cream and powder types, or a control (isotonic sodium chloride solution) would not produce different outcomes nor would they differentially improve the set outcomes between baseline and day 4 post-application. This ten-center, randomized controlled trial with parallel groups is ongoing. Three hundred edentulous patients with complete dentures will be allocated to three groups (cream-type adhesive, powder-type adhesive, and control groups). The participants will wear their dentures with the denture adhesive for 4 days, including during eight meals (three breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners). The baseline measurements and final measurements for the denture adhesives will be performed on the first day and after breakfast on the fourth day. The primary outcome is a general satisfaction rating for the denture. The secondary outcomes are denture satisfaction ratings for various denture functions, occlusal bite force, resistance to dislodgement, masticatory performance, perceived chewing ability, and oral health-related quality of life. Between-subjects comparisons among the three groups and within-subjects comparisons of the pre- and post-intervention measurements will be performed. Furthermore, a multiple regression analysis will be performed. The main analyses will be based on the intention-to-treat principle. A sample size of 100 subjects per group, including an assumed dropout rate of 10 %, will be required to achieve 80 % power with a 5 % alpha level. This randomized clinical trial will provide information about denture adhesives to complete denture wearers, prosthodontic educators, and dentists in Japan. We believe this new evidence on denture adhesive use from Japan will aid dentists in their daily practice even in other countries. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01712802 . Registered on 17 October 2012.