Xerostomia: A Prevalent Condition in the Elderly

Abstract

Although xerostomia is associa ted with aging, studies have dete rmined that salivary gland f unction is well preserved in the healthy geriatric population. Theref ore, dry mouth is probably not a condition ofaging, but most likely one ofsystemic or extrinsic origin. Saliva seems to undergo chemical changes with aging. As the amount of ptyalin decreases and mucin increases, saliva can become thick and viscous and prese nt problems fo r the elderly. One of the most prevalent causes of xeros tomia is medication.Anticholinergics, such as psychotropic agents and antihistamines, and diuretics can dry the oral mucosa. Chronic mouth breathing, radiation therapy, dehydration, and autoimmune diseases, such as Sj ogren 's, can also dim inish salivation, as can systemic illness such as diabetes mellitu s, nephritis, and thyroid dysfun ction. Xeros to m ia can lead to dysge usia, glossody n ia, sialadenitis, cracking and fissu ring of the oral mucosa, and halitosis. Oral dryness can affec t denture retention, mastication, and swallowing. Dry mouth symptom can be treated with hydrati on and sialagog ues or with artificia l saliva substitutes. Because patients are at risk fo r dental caries, they should be ref erred to a dentist fo rpreventive care. In patients with Sjogren's syndrome and in those who have undergone radiation therapy, pilocarp ine has been used recently with good results.

Burning mouth syndrome: A review on its diagnostic and therapeutic approach

“…The feeling or evidence of dry mouth in these individuals is more likely due to the side-effects of anticholinergics, psychotropic drugs, antihistamines and or diuretics. [13] There have been several studies that have shown clear alterations in the quality and quantity of saliva in BMS affected individual.…”

Yukmijihwang-tang for the treatment of xerostomia in the elderly: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-center trial

“…Third, we will determine whether YMJ can change the subjective feeling of dry mouth as well as the salivary flow rate. Although the relationship between a subjective feeling of dry mouth and the salivary flow rate is controversial [8,9,37], the change in these factors in association with YMJ treatment could be compared in this study.…”

“…In the elderly, the long-term use of medications and aging are regarded as major causes of xerostomia [9]. However, recent xerostomia studies mostly focused on Sjögren’s syndrome or postradiotherapy-induced xerostomia, which are related to salivary gland damage, and only a few studies have assessed xerostomia in elderly subjects who did not exhibit obvious structural damage of the salivary glands [10,11].…”

Safety and efficacy of an intra-oral electrostimulator for the relief of dry mouth in patients with chronic graft versus host disease: Case Series

“…cGVHD damages both the oral mucosa and the salivary glands. Salivary gland involvement in cGVHD is characterized by reduced salivary secretion and xerostomia (2-4). Common areas of mucosal cGVHD involvement are the tongue, buccal and labial mucosae (5,6).…”