Poly (hydroxyethyl methacrylate) Saliva-Gel: A Polymer-Based Solution for Xerostomia Treatment.

ABSTRACT: Dry mouth (xerostomia) often leads to difficulties in swallowing, speaking, and maintaining good oral hygiene. Present therapeutic interventions for xerostomia yield temporary symptom alleviation or are invasive. In this study, we employ the biocompatible polymer, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), to create a PHEMA-based saliva-gel to regulate the release of artificial saliva and emulate the properties of natural salivary secretion as a non-invasive dry mouth treatment mechanism. The saliva-gel exhibited a swelling capacity of approximately 400% of its original volume within 6 h. The high swelling capacity of the saliva-gel allows it to absorb and retain a significant amount of saliva, effectively increasing the amount of oral saliva and potentially providing sustained relief from d

SUBMITTER: Debnath S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12270425 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature