Biotene formula has changed :( Update

A lot of us here use Biotene products to help with dry mouth. Recently the Biotene formula changed significantly. I didn't notice the "New and Improved" label on the last bottle of mouth rinse I bought, so I was shocked when I put some in my mouth and started swishing. The taste is strong and unpleasant and it burned slightly. Same thing happened yesterday when I opened a new tube of their toothpaste. I've relied on Biotene for many years and I'm disappointed that I have to go in search of another option. Any suggestions for a good alternative product line?

I wonder if they will change it here in Australiia. I use the mouth gel.

Just try a generic alternative. Walgreens sells their own version. CVS, etc., probably does the same. They should be similar to the old Biotene (assuming they were similar to begin with). I have only used the generics anyway.

hyperlexis wrote:Just try a generic alternative. Walgreens sells their own version. CVS, etc., probably does the same. They should be similar to the old Biotene (assuming they were similar to begin with). I have only used the generics anyway.

It really depends on the flavourings they use. I tried a moisturising spray once, and it was so foul tasting, I opted for a dry mouth instead of using it again.

Biotene rinse gives relief from dry mouth for about five minutes. Try Biotene gel - it lasts for hours into the night.

I had been considering this:
http://www.amazon.com/OraMoist-Dry-Mout ... B001FANSK8

kaiasgram wrote:The taste is strong and unpleasant and it burned slightly. Same thing happened yesterday when I opened a new tube of their toothpaste. I've relied on Biotene for many years and I'm disappointed that I have to go in search of another option. Any suggestions for a good alternative product line?

I don't care for the new flavor but suspect I will get used to it. I thought the old formula had some enzymes or something else that was supposed to help dry mouth. I didn't see that in the new paste ingredients. I sent them an email and sort of got an answer.

"The Biotène® line has been reformulated to have a pH range similar to that of normal saliva (a pH closer to neutral) for optimal dry mouth symptom management product formulas. Appropriate ongoing oral hygiene is very important for the dry mouth sufferer, that’s why we’ve made formulation improvements to the Biotène® dry mouth toothpastes; they have been reformulated with sodium fluoride in a formulation designed to optimize fluoride uptake for essential tooth protection."

They don't say anything was removed and I may be mistaken thinking there were other ingredients anyway.

ClayL wrote:

kaiasgram wrote:The taste is strong and unpleasant and it burned slightly. Same thing happened yesterday when I opened a new tube of their toothpaste. I've relied on Biotene for many years and I'm disappointed that I have to go in search of another option. Any suggestions for a good alternative product line?

I don't care for the new flavor but suspect I will get used to it. I thought the old formula had some enzymes or something else that was supposed to help dry mouth. I didn't see that in the new paste ingredients. I sent them an email and sort of got an answer.

"The Biotène® line has been reformulated to have a pH range similar to that of normal saliva (a pH closer to neutral) for optimal dry mouth symptom management product formulas. Appropriate ongoing oral hygiene is very important for the dry mouth sufferer, that’s why we’ve made formulation improvements to the Biotène® dry mouth toothpastes; they have been reformulated with sodium fluoride in a formulation designed to optimize fluoride uptake for essential tooth protection."

They don't say anything was removed and I may be mistaken thinking there were other ingredients anyway.

You're not mistaken, they took out the enzymes. An Amazon reviewer posted the old ingredient list alongside the new one. It's really a new and different product now.

lol, the new formula won't optimize anything if people stop buying it.

I use Oasis spray.

The update: got a call from my dental hygienist yeseterday. She had spoken with the Biotene rep (who brings samples to all the dentists) about the feedback I gave her at my checkup/cleaning recently. According to this rep, many people have had problems with their new formula including the potent taste and burning sensation, and the rep says that they are returning to the original formula. The rep also said if I call their customer service they will send out a "care package" which presumably contains some of their original products. She said that the originals should be back on store shelves soon.

Great news kaiasa!

It is good to get the old flavor back, but if they don't put the enzymes back in then it is just plain old toothpaste with fluoride (according to the active ingredient list). In that case I won't be buying it anymore. If it doesn't have anything in it to help with dry mouth why pay a lot more for it when it's about the same as Crest or whatever?

ClayL wrote:It is good to get the old flavor back, but if they don't put the enzymes in back then it is just plain old toothpaste with fluoride (according to the active ingredient list). In that case I won't be buying it anymore. If it doesn't have anything in it to help with dry mouth why pay a lot more for it when it's about the same as Crest or whatever?

Yep -- agree. We'll see when they start restocking the store shelves.

ChunkyFrog- I have used OraMoist patches for over a year. I put one on the roof of my mouth every night. If I wake up during the night with a dry mouth, I put a squirt of Biotene gel on the patch area. The gel usually stays in place until morning. It has been helpful.

Lynda

I hope they put the enzymes back. Without them, my gums are starting to bleed which has not happned for years! I also noticed they removed the xylotil which is very good for oral health and kills harmful mouth bacteria- I hope they put that back too. I vastly prefer the toothpaste gel to the paste but after not being able to find it after checking about half dozen online merchants and 3 in town stores, I decided to get the paste. That's when I discoveverd it had changed. It burned my mouth and smelled very strong - i then looked at the ingredients and saw no enzymes, no xylotil, and the same junk as ordinary toopaste just without SLS; also then saw the "improved ph balanc:e" on the front. i knew somethign was up so i googled it and saw these posts...
BTW, how can something claim to be "original" but then also say "new and imrpoved"?

Anyone know anything about whether the toothpaste in gel version will be coming back?