Abstract Bovine colostrum is rich in antimicrobial sub- stances and growth factors. The purpose of this open study was to examine and compare the interventory effects of daily use of bovine colostrum-containing oral hygiene products (CHP) on oral symptoms and findings in 20 patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) and 20 age-matched patients with oral lichen planus (OLP). Objective oral measures and self-assessment of oral symptoms and general health were conducted before and after 90 days’ use of CHP. The pSS patients had more systemic diseases, medication intake, oral dryness, poorer general health and lower salivary secretion than the OLP patients, who had the highest plaque index (PI) and the most mucosal soreness. Oral dryness and sore- ness were correlated to general health. In both patient groups, unstimulated whole saliva flow rate (UWS) had increased, PI and periodontal pocket depth (PPD) were reduced, and general health and oral dryness and sore- ness had improved after using CHP. A decrease in hy- phae was found in candida smears from both groups and in blastospores in OLP smears. A reduction in the exten- sion of the mucosal lesions was observed in 15 OLP pa- tients. Results suggested beneficial effects of interven- tion with CHP on oral symptoms, general health, UWS, PI, PPD and candidal load in two patient groups – pSS and OLP – representing different oral symptomatology. Keywords Primary Sjögren’s syndrome · Oral lichen planus · Bovine colostrum · Saliva · Xerostomia · Oral mucosa Introduction Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoim- mune disorder involving, in particular, the lacrimal and salivary glands, leading to decreased secretion of tears and saliva and symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth [1]. Lichen planus (LP) is a mucocutaneous inflammatory disorder in which oral lesions (OLP) may occur in vari- ous combinations of reticular, papular, plaque-like, atro- phic, ulcerative and bullous forms [2, 3]. LP has been as- sociated with a number of systemic diseases and their medication [3]. Both pSS and OLP are relatively com- mon chronic and currently incurable disorders of un- known aetiology [3, 4]. Generally, pSS and OLP affect the middle-aged and elderly, and more women than men [3, 4]. While the lymphocytic infiltration of the salivary glands in pSS appears to be progressive [5], the course of OLP has shown fluctuations in the type and extension of the mucosal lesions [2]. The benign lymphoepithelial lesions of the salivary glands in pSS and some lesions in OLP may undergo a malignant development [6, 7], which emphasises the importance of regular clinical follow-up examinations for these patients. Reduced salivary gland function and dry mouth symptoms as found in pSS patients, and oral mucosal soreness and pain as experienced by OLP patients, im- plies negative impact on the patients’ quality of life and oral functions [3, 8]. Since there is no curative treatment, and agents for symptomatic treatment are few and not always satisfactory, both groups of patients may present significant management problems to dental practitioners. Moreover, these patients commonly experience annoying symptoms of the oral mucosa when using oral hygiene products, including dentifrice and chlorhexidine. In an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of dry mouth and oral mucosal soreness and to improve oral affections of these disorders, a novel approach is offered by colostrum-con- taining oral hygiene products. Colostrum is milk that is produced during the first days post partum and it con- tains high concentrations of antibodies, enzymes and nu- trients that protect the neonate against infection [9]. A.M. Pedersen ( ✉ ) Department of Oral Physiology, Anatomy, Pathology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen, 20 Nørre Allé, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark e-mail: amp@odont.ku.dk Tel.: +45-35326729, Fax: +45-35326722 A.M. Pedersen · L. Andersen Torpet · J. Reibel · P. Holmstrup B. Nauntofte Copenhagen Gerodontological Oral Health Research Center, School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Clin Oral Invest (2002) 6:11–20 DOI 10.1007/s00784-001-0148-x ORIGINAL ARTICLE A.M. Pedersen · L. Andersen Torpet · J. Reibel P. Holmstrup · B. Nauntofte Oral findings in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome and oral lichen planus – a preliminary study on the effects of bovine colostrum-containing oral hygiene products Received: 10 September 2001 / Accepted: 10 November 2001 / Published online: 23 January 2002 © Springer-Verlag 2002