WHO would have thought that there is an industry related to saliva. In this case, it’s artificial saliva and it’s a multi-billion market.
In fact, the global market for artificial saliva is projected to value at just under US$ 1.5 billion by 2025, according to the “Global Artificial Saliva Market Insights, Forecast to 2025” report.
Saliva plays an important role in chewing, swallowing, digesting and speaking. It also helps control bacteria in the mouth which helps prevent infection and tooth decay. Artificial saliva can relieve the symptoms of dry mouth and help in the prevention of health complications.
Natural saliva is made up mostly of water, enzymes, electrolytes and mucus. Artificial saliva is made of water and carboxymethylcellulose which increases viscosity and helps lubricate the oral cavity. It also has glycerin, a colorless, odorless lipid which coats the tongue, teeth and gums to reduce moisture loss and protect the mouth from mechanical trauma.
Minerals such as phosphates, calcium and fluoride that can help protect and strengthen teeth and gums may be found in artificial saliva. So is xylitol which is believed to increase saliva production and protect teeth from bacteria and decay. Artificial saliva also contains preservatives to maintain shelf life and flavoring.
Oral spray, oral rinse, gel, swabs and dissolving tablets are the many variants of artificial saliva that temporarily moistens and lubricates the mouth and creates a protective film to help reduce the risk of mechanical trauma caused by chronic dry mouth. They are used to provide relief from dryness or stickiness in the mouth and even bad breath.
The new report studies the global market size of artificial saliva in key regions like Asia and the Pacific, North America, Europe, Central and South America and Middle East and Africa. It categorizes the global artificial saliva market by players/brands, region, type and application.
The report also studies the global market status, competition landscape, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, sales channels and distributors.
The top leading companies, for example, are: GlaxoSmithKline,Cipla Limited,Fresenius Kabi,Parnell Pharmaceuticals,Entod International,Forward Science,Biocosmetics Laboratories,Icpa Health Products LTD.,Perrigo and Laboratorios Kin.
“As the artificial saliva market is consumer-based, increase in disposable income and per-capita spending are likely to drive the artificial saliva market over the course of the forecast period,” the report says, citing data from the World Health Organization showing that oral diseases are the fourth-most expensive disease to treat in both emerging and developed economies.
“A critical issue to be resolved before that is the demand-supply imbalance in the artificial saliva market that affects everybody from manufacturers to end consumers. Any supply chain deviation leads to a rise in price, reducing the ability of key players to offer products at competitive prices and boost the overall profile of the artificial saliva market.”/PN
Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the UE College of Dentistry, former Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, past president and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy, and honorary fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists. Honorary Life Member of Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
