DRY MOUTH

Salivix salivary stimulant pastilles, €9.49, pack of 50

CLAIM: Helps combat the effects of dry mouth, from cancer treatment, and reduce mouth sores. It aids the production of saliva by stimulating ducts in the same way food does.

EXPERT VERDICT: Dr Ben Atkins, a dentist and spokesman for the Oral Health Foundation, says: ‘This is a great product for anybody who has dry mouth, which often is a side-effect of medication — especially from blood pressure and depression tablets, or chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

‘While any sugar-free sweets will stimulate saliva production, saliva ducts can become damaged by cancer treatment and the malic acid in these pastilles could potentially offer more stimulation to kick them into action.

‘Anything that stimulates saliva will help with mouth sores. When you have less saliva, bacteria have more contact time with the inside of the mouth which can cause more sores.

‘These pastilles also contain xylitol, a sweetener proven to prevent tooth decay and erosion.’

10/10