Hello All:
You may already know this, but I just found out and decided to mention it in case you are unaware and might be experiencing problems. I ALWAYS had sugar-free gum in my mouth during the day because, not only did chewing gum help make saliva, it helped to disguise the sweet, putrid taste I have. As far as I can find, ALL sugar-free gum has something called Sorbitol in it. Usually it's the first ingredient listed. Anyway, I was experiening some problems and decided to research it, and found: This medication is used as a laxative to treat occasional episodes of constipation; SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, gas, diarrhea, stomach cramps or anal irritation may occur. I checked with my gastro doctor, and he told me to stop chewing it. Now I'm having a hard time finding sugar-free gum without it. Do any of you know of a brand and where I can get it? The Sorbitol might not be a problem for any of you, which would be great, but just thought it was something for you to know.
julieann

Julieann,

I have experienced the same problems with sugar free gum. In fact, I have had that problem with sugar free candies and etc. I'm not aware of any sugar free gum without Sorbitol. I will keep my eyes open for you! I have a feeling if you search in the "Natural Foods" section at the grocery store, (or Whole Foods and Trader Joe's) they may have gum made without Sorbitol. It's worth a shot. Good luck in your search. I will keep you posted if I find anything:)

Ashley

Biotene makes a dry mouth gum, which I use during the day. It may be a little hard to find locally, but works really well. Use the OCF link on the main forum page to enter Amazon EVERY TIME you go there for anything, and OCF gets 4% of your purchase as a donation from Amazon at no cost to you but a mouse click. Every little bit helps p[ay the costs of operating the foundation.

http://www.amazon.com/?ie=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&tag=oralcancerfou-20&link_code=hom&%2Aentries%2A=0

search for Biotene gum

I also keep Biotene gum in my mouth almost all my working hours and they list their ingredients as Polyglycitol first and Sorbitol second.

With that said I have NEVER experienced any side effects or problems from this gum and I would hate to have to go a day without it. It frees me from having to carry a water bottle with me everytime I leave my office. I can carry on long conversations which I am prone to do without having to constantly sip water. I chew it even in City Council meetings. I did make an announcement my first or maybe 2nd Council meeting about why I chew gum and now everyone understands that's just a part of me. For me I find it's best to only put 1/2 a piece in my mouth and I find that it lasts for hours but when it goes, it goes quickly from gum to little pieces of dust.

Thanks David and Brian for replying. I have such a bad reaction to that crazy sorbitol, I'm not sure if it'll work for me, but I'll get some and try it, via the OCF link on Forum to order it.
julieann

Hey Brian and David - would you say that the Biotene gum is vastly (or even a little for that matter) superior to regular gum with Xylitol? My dentist cousin, upon learning of my condition, wrote to me "chew tons of gum with Xylitol", something my local dentist also recommended. I've luckily gotten some of my salivary function back - by no means all but it's a start - so I don't feel the need to be chewing gum all the time. A nearby glass of water is helpful.

But if in your opinions the Biotene will help me more than the Trident I'm now using I'll definitely give it a chew! And, needless to say, get it through the link (which I've now added to my favorites; I get my Gel-Kam from Amazon but rarely shop there otherwise, but I will from now on, and also send the link to friends)

thanks much.

Dee Too

Biotene also has some active enzymes in it that are now missing from your mouth because of the xerostomia. The release of them from the gum, toothpaste (PBF version ), and mouth rise will help balance the flora in your mouth which will help with periodontal problems etc. So there is something more to using it. Just for the record - since Biotene was bought by GSK a couple of years ago, (used to be owned by Laclede) they are not donors to OCF. This advice is not motivated by anything other than it seems to work for me.

And it works for me. It didn't at first but I kept trying, just like we should with everything during our 2 year recovery.

Good advice, gentlemen. Thanks to you both.

D2

Try to find a gum that lists Zylitol first. I use Zylitol instead of sugar. As with all the sugar alcohols (sorbitol, malitol etc, you could have some stomach upset. However this is temporary.

I use gums with xylitol as well. I also replace sugar with it too. However I have recently stopped chewing because my physio thinks that it may be causing me to tense my jaw which is not helping with the trismus.

Minh