Minimizing Complications of Aging That Lead to Dry Mouth and Poor Oral Health

Abstract Poor oral health causes severe pain and untreated infections to spread throughout the body. For older adults, the prevalence of root decay exceeds that of any other medical condition. Our research shows tooth loss and edentulousness were associated with increased mortality and inversely associated with BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose. Our Stop-it study found people who lost bone density had fewer teeth, problems chewing, and involuntary weight loss and frailty. 88% of the elderly take medications that cause loss of saliva. Sjögren’s and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer patients heighten risk. Without saliva, patients have increased tooth decay, periodontal disease and fungal infections, salivary gland blockage, and problems swallowing and speaking. Dry mouth leads people to suck on candy that further increase caries. Substituting sugarfree gum for candy increases salivary flow and reduces dental caries. Brushing, flossing, and limiting sugar also lessen tooth decay.

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GAMBARAN XEROSTOMIA PADA KELOMPOK LANSIA YANG MENGGUNAKAN GIGI TIRUAN DI KABUPATEN MINAHASA

e-GIGI ◽

10.35790/eg.3.1.2015.6458 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Gracecylia R. Salampessy ◽

Ni Wayan Mariati ◽

Christy Mintjelungan

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

The Elderly ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Salivary Flow ◽

Elderly Group ◽

Dry Mouth ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Sectional Design

Abstack: A person who has entered the elderly group will experience a change in the composition of saliva, causing the production of saliva does not function normally and lead to a complaint of dry mouth or xerostomia. This study aimed to identify and clarify the picture of xerostomia in the elderly group who use denture in Minahasa district. Xerostomia is a common problem that many occur in the elderly. Clinically, patients with dry mouth will feel dry on the lips and the corners of the mouth become irritated. This was a descriptive study using a cross sectional design. This study was carried out in all elderly nursing homes in Minahasa district. The samples of this study were all elderly who used denture in nursing homes in Minahasa district. Salivary flow rate was measured with a measuring cup. The results showed that xerostomia was found in 93.75% of the elderly, more dominant in females (96.7%), and more frequent in the age group 65-69 years (63.3%). Conclusion: Xerostomia was more common in female elderly, therefore, it is expected that the elderly have to maintain their oral health by eating nutritious foods and vitamin C.Keywords: denture, elderly, xerostomia.Abstrak: Seseorang yang sudah memasuki kelompok lansia akan mengalami perubahan dalam komposisi saliva, sehingga menyebabkan produksi saliva tidak berfungsi dengan normal dan mengakibatkan keluhan mulut kering atau xerostomia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menjelaskan gambaran xerostomia pada kelompok lansia yang menggunakan gigi tiruan di kabupaten Minahasa. Xerostomia merupakan masalah umum yang banyak terjadi pada lansia. Secara klinis pasien dengan mulut kering akan terasa kering pada bibir dan bagian sudut mulut mengalami iritasi. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain penelitian deskriptif dengan pendekatan potong lintang. Penelitian ini dilakukan di seluruh panti werda di kabupaten Minahasa. Sampel penelitian ini ialah semua lansia yang menggunakan gigi tiruan di panti werda di kabupaten Minahasa. Pengukuran laju aliran saliva dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode gelas ukur. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa xerostomia ditemukan pada 93,75% dari populasi, kelamin lebih dominan pada perempuan (96,7%), dan tersering pada rentang usia 65-69 tahun (63,3%). Simpulan: Xerostomia sering terjadi pada lansia terutama yang berjenis kelamin perempuan. Diharapkan para lansia dapat menjaga kesehatan gigi dan mulut dengan mengonsumsi makanan bergizi dan kaya vitamin C.Kata kunci: gigi tiruan, lansia, xerostomia

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Latest Advancement in the Management of Xerostomia: A Review

JOURNAL FOR CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH ◽

10.7860/jcdr/2021/49970.15388 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Venetia Aranha ◽

SM Meghana ◽

Sandip Kulkarni ◽

Monica Yadav

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

The Elderly ◽

Salivary Flow ◽

Dry Mouth ◽

Care Providers ◽

Oral Infections ◽

Current Trends ◽

Salivary Substitutes ◽

Systemic Therapies

Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is a subjective sensation arising due to the reduced salivary flow. The dry mouth interferes with normal oral functions such as swallowing, chewing and speech. An increase in the incidence of dental caries and oral infections that may impact the oral health is also seen. The aetiology of dry mouth may be due to systemic diseases, drugs or by radiation to the head and neck, the causes hence being multifactorial. The prevalence of dry mouth is commonly seen in nearly half of the elderly population and one fifth of the younger individuals. Salivary substitutes are used to manage xerostomia. However, for long- standing xerostomia, a lot of potential systemic therapies exist. Oral health care providers are now making significant contributions to the diagnosis and are aware of the latest trends in the management of xerostomia. This review aimed to illustrate the current trends in the management of xerostomia.

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Hyposalivation, oral health, and Candida colonization in independent dentate elders

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0242832 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0242832

Author(s):

Nada Buranarom ◽

Orapin Komin ◽

Oranart Matangkasombut

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Salivary Flow ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dry Mouth ◽

Root Caries ◽

Tongue Coating ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Flow Rates ◽

Significance Level

Hyposalivation is an important problem in elders and could interfere with several oral functions and microbial ecology. While the number of independent elders who retain more natural teeth increases worldwide, few studies examined hyposalivation in this population. Thus, this study aims to examine relationships between hyposalivation, oral health conditions and oral Candida colonization in independent dentate elders and evaluate factors associated with salivary flow and Candida carriage. We conducted a cross-sectional study in fifty-three dentate elders (≥65 years old with at least 4 pairs of posterior occlusal contacts) with no, or well-controlled, systemic conditions. Participants were interviewed for medical history, subjective dry mouth symptoms, oral hygiene practices and denture information. Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates, objective dry mouth signs, gingival, tongue-coating, and root-caries indices were recorded. Stimulated saliva was cultured on Sabouraud-dextrose agar for Candida counts. Candida species were identified using chromogenic Candida agar and polymerase chain reaction. Statistical significance level was set at p<0.05. The results showed that hyposalivation was associated with higher gingival and tongue-coating indices (p = 0.003 and 0.015, respectively), but not root-caries index. Hyposalivation was also associated with higher prevalence of oral Candida colonization (p = 0.010; adjusted OR = 4.36, 95% confidence interval = 1.29–14.72). These two indices and Candida load were negatively correlated with unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates. Interestingly, non-albicans Candida species were more prevalent in denture wearers (p = 0.017). Hence, hyposalivation is a risk factor for poorer oral health and oral Candida colonization in independent dentate elders. Because of its potential adverse effects on oral and systemic health, hyposalivation should be carefully monitored in elders.

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Assessment of Oral Health in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus

Peritoneal Dialysis International ◽

10.3747/pdi.2010.00113 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 81-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Abubekir Eltas ◽

Ümmühan Tozoğlu ◽

Mustafa Keleş ◽

Varol Canakci

Keyword(s):

Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Oral Health ◽

Buffer Capacity ◽

Glycosylated Hemoglobin ◽

Salivary Flow ◽

Dry Mouth ◽

Mucosal Ulceration ◽

Salivary Ph ◽

Patients With Diabetes ◽

Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c

The incidence of chronic renal failure continues to rise worldwide, and although the oral and dental changes in individuals with this condition have been examined, investigations with diabetic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are limited. We therefore examined salivary pH, dry mouth, taste change, and mucosal ulceration in diabetic and nondiabetic uremic patients receiving PD. A total of 49 patients undergoing PD therapy were allocated to either the diabetic or the nondiabetic group. Salivary pH, dry mouth, taste change, and mucosal ulceration were determined for both groups. Salivary flow rate and pH were both lower in the diabetic group. Buffer capacity, dry mouth, taste change, and mucosal ulceration were all increased in that group. These findings were associated with level of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c. Our observations indicate that, compared with nondiabetic PD patients, patients with diabetes exhibit more severe oral uremic symptoms, including dry mouth, burning mouth syndrome, taste change, and mucosal ulcerations. The oral health in these patients should be followed.

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State of Evidence on Oral Health Problems in Diabetic Patients: A Critical Review of the Literature

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10225383 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (22) ◽

pp. 5383

Author(s):

Miguel Ángel González-Moles ◽

Pablo Ramos-García

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Critical Review ◽

Primary Care Physicians ◽

Health Care Cost ◽

Fungal Infections ◽

Salivary Flow ◽

Interdisciplinary Teams ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Oral Diseases ◽

Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem, having recognized that in the next 20 years the number of diabetic patients in the world will increase to 642 million. DM exerts enormous repercussions on general health diabetic (especially derived from vascular, cardiac, renal, ocular, or neurological affectation). It entails in addition a high number of deaths directly related to the disease, as well as a high health care cost, estimated at $673 billion annually. Oral cavity is found among all the organs and systems affected in the course of DM. Important pathologies are developed with higher prevalence, such as periodontitis (PD), alterations in salivary flow, fungal infections, oral cancer, and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). It has been proven that PD hinders the metabolic control of DM and that the presence of PD increases the possibility for developing diabetes. Despite the relevance of these oral pathologies, the knowledge of primary care physicians and diabetes specialists about the importance of oral health in diabetics, as well as the knowledge of dentists about the importance of DM for oral health of patients is scarce or non-existent. It is accepted that the correct management of diabetic patients requires interdisciplinary teams, including dentists. In this critical review, the existing knowledge and evidence-degree on the preventive, clinical, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic aspects of oral diseases that occur with a significant frequency in the diabetic population are developed in extension.

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Dental tooth decay profile in an institutionalized elder population of Northern Portugal

Brazilian Dental Science ◽

10.14295/bds.2020.v23i2.1940 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Maria Gavinha ◽

Paulo Ribeiro Melo ◽

Liliana Gavinha Costa ◽

Patrícia Manarte Monteiro ◽

Maria Conceição Manso

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Condition ◽

Tooth Decay ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Northern Portugal ◽

Decay Profile

Objectives: the purpose of this study was to assess the dental tooth decay profile of an elderly population from Northern Portugal. Material and Methods: this is a descriptive, cross-sectional study where a questionnaire, intended to assess the institutionalized elders oral health condition, was applied with the purpose of quantifying certain oral conditions. Tooth decay was assessed using the DMFT Index for the crown’s tooth and the individual radicular caries index (RCIi) for the root’s condition assessment. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistical regressions were performed (p < 0.05) using the IBM© SPSS© Statistics vs.19.0. Results: three hundred and seventy-two elderly participants were assessed with an average age of 78.8 years, of which 260 were women (69.9%). Of the sample 30.4% had no literacy and 18.3% were dependent on their daily oral hygiene care, 30.9% (95%CI:26.2%-35.6%) were edentulous and 84.9% (95%CI:81.3%-88.5%) had less than 20 teeth. The average number of teeth was 8.9 (±8.7) and the DMFT was 25.6 (± 7.3). The RCIi for men was 44.3% (± 30.4%) and 39.4% (± 31.2%) for women. Using multivariate logistical regression model the outcome RCIi≥20% was shown to be significantly and positively associated with the use of removable partial dentures (metal partial dentures: OR=5.348 (95%CI:1.176-24,329; p = 0.030) as well as with daily tooth brushing (no toothbrushing: OR = 2.802 (95%CI:1.445-5.433); p = 0.002). Conclusion: the prevalence of tooth decay in this elder institutionalized population of Northern Portugal is high, mostly due to bad oral hygiene habits associated to the use of metal removable partial dentures. Institutionalized elderly need protocols tailored to their oral health needs and integrated efforts in the institutions are needed to effectively answer the demands related to the elderly cognitive and motor skills (ageing deterioration) decline of physiological functions.KEYWORDSElderly; Oral health; Prosthesis; Root caries.

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Psychosocial well-being of Partially and Completely Edentulous Elderly Patients of Barangay San Juan, Apalit, Pampanga, Philippines

Asia Proceedings of Social Sciences ◽

10.31580/apss.v5i1.1084 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 64-68

Author(s):

Pamela Denise Guevarra ◽

Julliane Mae Gregorio ◽

Mhariel Peria

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Oral Health ◽

Tooth Loss ◽

Periodontal Diseases ◽

Well Being ◽

The Body ◽

Social Aspect ◽

San Juan ◽

Tooth Decay

Healthy smile may affect person’s confidence and self-image. Senior dental problem can be common, from tooth decay to periodontal diseases, since oral health directly impacts the health of the rest of the body and mind, these issues need to be taken seriously. Elderly individual may start limiting the kinds of food they eat, prone to experience low self-esteem and other psychological problems, they may find it difficult to socialize to other people, changes of mood because of pain they experience in oral cavity and difficulty in communication due to changes in oral motor function such as phonation and deglutition. Descriptive type of research, 273 individuals were selected through convenience and purposive sampling. The respondents were all partially and completely edentulous individuals, aged sixty and above, residing at Barangay San Juan, Apalit, Pampanga, Philippines. Researcher made questionnaire, validated by licensed dentists, psychologists, and guidance counselor, were utilized as the research instrument to determine the respondent’s psychosocial well-being and quality of life. Based on data gathered, dental caries is the most common cause of the respondents’ tooth loss. Result showed that the effects of toothloss on health, behavioral, and socio-economic factors of the respondents are equal, and social aspect is greatly affected. Psychosocial well-being of the respondents is in between strongly affected and not affected at all, an indication that quality of life is affected by the effects of edentulism. Socialization and health aspect are the most commonly affected by edentulism. Feelings were encountered and coped differently by individual. Awareness and proper education on oral health practices can help prevent tooth decay and tooth loss that may improve the psychosocial well-being and overall quality of life of an individual, especially to future generations.

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Effect of salat (prayer) activity on salivary status and cortisol level

Majalah Kedokteran Gigi Indonesia ◽

10.22146/majkedgiind.36959 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 51

Author(s):

Nadia Rully Auliawati ◽

Layung Sekar Prabarayi ◽

Rais Aliffandy Damroni ◽

Juni Handajani

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Cortisol Level ◽

Flow Rate ◽

Salivary Flow ◽

The Body ◽

Salivary Flow Rate ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Salivary Ph ◽

Cortisol Levels ◽

Normal Acidity

The majority of Indonesian people are Muslim who perform the obligatory prayers five times each day known as salat. The series of activities in salat begins with wudu with a gargle movement that increases salivary secretion through mechanical stimulation. The movement of ruku and sujood when salat causes oxygen-rich blood to flow to the brain is well suited. When a person feels calmer and more psychically relaxed after performing salat and wudu, the parasympathetic nerves increase so normal cortisol levels can secrete more saliva which is aqueous with normal acidity (pH). Oral health will affect the overall health of the body. This study aimed to determine the effect of salat and wudu on the salivary flow rate, pH, and cortisol level as an indicator of oral health. The design of this study was the static group pretest and posttest design. The study was conducted by comparing the value of salivary flow rate, pH, and cortisol levels in 20 subjects consisting of 10 subjects as the treatment group and 10 subjects as the control. Saliva was collected without stimulation before and after salat activity for five minutes, followed by measurement of salivary flow rate and pH level. Salivary cortisol level was measured using Cortisol Assay Elisa kit with λ 540 nm. The results showed an increase in salivary pH, flow rate and cortisol level after the salat activity but there was no significant difference by Kruskal-Wallis test but there was a strong correlation using Kendall’s tau_b test. In conclusion, salat activity may have correlation with an increase in salivary pH, flow rate and cortisol level.

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PROSTHODONTIC STATUS AND NEED FOR PROSTHODONTIC REHABILITATION AMONG THE ELDERLY IN STRUMICA

Knowledge International Journal ◽

10.35120/kij3404829z ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 829-834

Author(s):

Katerina Zlatanovska ◽

Cena Dimova ◽

Sanja Naskova

Keyword(s):

Oral Health ◽

Oral Cavity ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

The Elderly ◽

The Body ◽

World Health ◽

Prosthetic Rehabilitation ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Prosthetic Devices ◽

Health Organization

Oral health among the elderly population is an integral part of their overall health. Good oral health facilitates effective chewing, contributes positively to speech, social confidence and is associated with better cognitive and functional capacity in the elderly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it is generally acceptable if older patients have about 20 functional teeth in the oral cavity. Toothlessness is today seen as a physical disability, as the imperative part of the body is lost and this in turn affects patients' personal satisfaction.The main goal of this research was to determinate the prosthetic status and the need for prosthetic rehabilitation at the elderly in the city of Strumica, Macedonia, and as specific goals were set as follows: to assess the overall oral health of patients, including the frequency of visiting a dentist, to determine oral hygiene habits; to determine the number of lost teeth associated with the patients’ age; to determine the type of prosthetic appliance and their current state in the patients' mouth; to indicate negative and positive criticism and the level of satisfaction of patients from prosthetic devices (in terms of aesthetics); to determine the type of diet and general health status of patients; to determine the status of total prostheses in terms of retention, stabilization, extension and occlusion.The study included 40 patients from Strumica aged 50 to 75 years, 18 women and 22 men. The presented data were obtained from the research conducted in the period from 20.06.2018 to 30.08.2018 in which the following procedures were performed: anamnestic data, clinical examination and completing a questionnaire by patients.Based on the data obtained, their analysis, and the results of our research, we can make the following conclusions: Hygiene habits and attitudes may be related to gender distribution, level of education, and they do not always produce positive results; Education is one of the most important factors contributing to patients' awareness of their health and the need for regular check-ups in dental practice and daily oral hygiene; General illnesses often play a major role in the oral cavity, and poor habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption and other harmful products, including diet, are major contributing factors to caries and periodontal disease leading to tooth loss; With increasing age, patients have a growing number of lost teeth and their awareness of replacing them is linked to both aesthetic and functional aspects; The dentist should always take care to preserve the natural teeth in the patient's mouth, to get the most out of the situation and to seek the most appropriate prosthetic rehabilitation and prosthetic compensation.

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