Method for treating xerostomia employing chewing gum containing relatively insoluble, hydrophobic, food-grade organic acid

A method for treating xerostomia in a non-exercising patient having functioning salivary glands with decreased salivary gland function, comprising the step of chewing, by the xerostomia patient, for a period of at least about 20 minutes, a gum whose essential salivary flow rate increasing agent, effective to stimulate saliva at a maximum rate for a prolonged period of time, consists essentially of a food-grade organic acid selected from the group consisting of adipic, fumaric, succinic, suberic, sebacic, azelic and pimelic acids, in an amount ranging from about 1.0% to about 6.0% by weight of the chewing gum composition, the acid having a water solubility of less than about 20.0% by weight at 37.degree. C. or a degree of hydrophobicity sufficient for retention of the acid in a non-polar chewing gum base yet releasable therefrom over an extended period of time during chewing of the gum, the acid being released during chewing of the gum to stimulate saliva at a flow rate greater than that experienced during chewing a non-acidulated chewing gum;

• said gum being free of rapidly released and cariogenic citric, malic or tartaric acid, as well as free of calcium carbonate or other alkaline fillers which tend to neutralize the food acid.