Oral dysfunctions are common in the elderly but the literature lacks a multidisciplinary approach on the relationship between polypharmacy, saliva flow, xerostomia, taste, and swallowing complaints. This cross‐sectional study included 204 non‐institutionalized elderly (>60 years; 123 women/81 men), free of severe disabilities and non‐alcohol/tobacco consumers, from whom specific pharmacological therapies were evaluated, as well xerostomia (Xerostomia Inventory‐XI) and swallowing complaints (EAT‐10 questionnaire), salivary flow rate and gustatory sensitivity. Statistical analysis included Chi‐square, Mann–Whitney, Two‐way ANCOVA, and linear multiple regression. Polypharmacy (≥5 drugs daily), hyposalivation, and severe taste dysfunction were found in 18, 46, and 10% of the participants, respectively. Polypharmacy was related with xerostomia (p = .041) and swallowing complaints (p < .001; power = 94%), but not with taste dysfunction. Dry mouth complaint and higher risk of swallowing disorders were found in 50 and 12% of the elderly, respectively, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors users (n = 36) showed higher EAT‐10 scores (p = .038). Regression models showed that stimulated salivary flow rate was dependent on gender and diuretic use, while xerostomia scores were dependent on the number of medications and unstimulated saliva flow (p < .001). In conclusion, the results draw attention to the high frequency of oral and maxillofacial dysfunctions found in non‐institutionalized elderly, especially polypharmacy, xerostomia and swallowing complaints, and the side effects of drugs that can disturb the oral functions, the acceptance of food, and the adherence to oral therapies.
