scholarly journals Latest Advancement in the Management of Xerostomia: A Review

Author(s):  
Venetia Aranha ◽  
SM Meghana ◽  
Sandip Kulkarni ◽  
Monica Yadav

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.

e-GIGI ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gracecylia R. Salampessy ◽  
Ni Wayan Mariati ◽  
Christy Mintjelungan

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


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 251-251
Author(s):  
Athena Papas

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.


Author(s):  
Reena Sirohi

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) is a public health emergency of global concern. Based on the data published by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), the majority of patients were asymptomatic or having mild symptoms but can release an enormous amount of viral load. It posed a worldwide challenge for containment of the infection of COVID-19. As, oral health care providers work in close proximity to the patients’ mouth, they are at higher risk for infection. The aim of this article is to emphasize on special measures to be taken for prevention and potential interventions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442110119
Author(s):  
M. McNally ◽  
L. Rock ◽  
M. Gillis ◽  
S. Bryan ◽  
C. Boyd ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 novel coronavirus closed oral health care in Nova Scotia (NS) Canada in March 2020. Preparing for a phased reopening, a knowledge exchange coalition (representing government, academia, hospitals, oral health professions, and regulators) developed return-to-work (RTW) guidelines detailing the augmentation of standard practices to ensure safety for patients, oral health care providers (OHPs), and the community. Using online surveys, this study explored the influence of the RTW guidelines and related education on registered NS OHPs during a phased return to work. Methods: Dissemination of R2W guidelines included website or email communiques and interdisciplinary education webinars that coincided with 2 RTW phases approved by the government. Aligned with each phase, all registered dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants were invited to complete an online survey to gauge the influence of the coalition-sponsored education and RTW guidelines, confidence, preparedness, and personal protective equipment use before and after the pandemic. Results: Three coalition-sponsored multidisciplinary webinars hosted 3541 attendees prior to RTW. The response to survey 1 was 41% (881/2156) and to survey 2 was 26% (571/2177) of registrants. Survey 1 (82%) and survey 2 (89%) respondents “agreed/strongly agreed” that R2W guidelines were a primary source for guiding return to practice, and most were confident with education received and had the skills needed to effectively treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Confidence and preparedness improved in survey 2. Gowns/lab coat use for aerosol-generating procedures increased from 26% to 93%, and the use of full face shields rose from 6% to 93% during the pandemic. Conclusions: A multistakeholder coalition was effective in establishing and communicating comprehensive guidelines and web-based education to ensure unified reintegration of oral health services in NS during a pandemic. This multiorganizational cooperation lay the foundation for responses to subsequent waves of COVID-19 and may serve as an example for collaboratively responding to future public health threats in other settings. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The return-to-work strategy that was developed, disseminated, and assessed through this COVID-19 knowledge exchange coalition will benefit oral health practitioners, professional regulators, government policy makers, and researchers in future pandemic planning.


Author(s):  
Ariana Kong ◽  
Michelle Dickson ◽  
Lucie Ramjan ◽  
Mariana S. Sousa ◽  
Joanne Goulding ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to explore whether oral health was an important consideration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women during pregnancy, whether oral health could be promoted by Aboriginal health staff, and strategies that would be appropriate to use in a new model of care. A qualitative descriptive methodology underpinned the study. All participants in this study identified as Aboriginal, with no Torres Strait Islander participants, and were from New South Wales, Australia. The interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. From the data, two themes were constructed. The first theme identified that oral health was not always the first priority for participants as poor accessibility alongside other competing commitments were challenges to accessing oral health services. The second theme highlighted how relationships with personal networks and healthcare providers were essential and could be used to support maternal oral health during pregnancy. Effective strategies to promote oral health during pregnancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women should involve key stakeholders and health care providers, like Aboriginal Health Workers, to facilitate culturally safe support and tailored oral health advice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Aydoğan ◽  
A Ünsal ◽  
D Arslantaş

Abstract Background Malnutrition is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Malnutrition increases the number of hospitalizations and prolongs the length of hospitalization by disrupting organ functions, increasing the number and severity of infections and delaying wound healing. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of suspected malnutrition in the elderly, to examine some related variables and to evaluate the depression. Methods The study is a cross-sectional study conducted between March-April 2019 in individuals aged 60 years and older living in Sivrihisar. Sample size was calculated as 579. Cluster sampling method used. Data was collected by door to door in 4 neighborhoods determined by randomly. Mini Nutritional Assessment Test-Short Form (for malnutrition), Katz Daily Living Activities Scale (for dependency) and Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (for depression) were used. Chi-square test, Mann Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis were used for the analyzes. Results The study group consisted of 220 (38%) women and 359 (62%) men. The mean age was 68.9±6.4 (ranged 60-93). Frequency of suspected malnutrition was 25% (n = 145). Being 80 years of age or older (OR:3.24, CI:1.53-6.85), having a primary and lower education level (OR:2.54, CI:1.32-4.90), history of chronic illness (OR:2.34, CI:1.33-4.03), using dentures (OR:1.62, CI:1.03-2.55) and suspected depression (OR:4.97, CI:3.17-7.78) are important risk factors for malnutrition. Those with suspicion of malnutrition had lower scores on DLA (z = 8.982;p=0.001). Conclusions Malnutrition was found to be an important health problem for the elderly. The frequency of suspected malnutrition is higher in individuals with depression. Those with suspected malnutrition have higher level of dependency. In order to reduce the frequency of malnutrition, it may be beneficial to increase the awareness of the elderly and caregivers and to give importance to the elderly nutrition of primary health care providers. Key messages Depression is an important risk factor for malnutrition. Malnutrition increases the dependence of the individual on daily activities.


1980 ◽  
Vol 47 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1055-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward F. Raymond ◽  
Timothy J. Michals ◽  
Robert A. Steer

A sample of 504 elderly persons living within a metropolitan area were questioned about their socio-medical characteristics and administered the Wakefield Self-assessment Depression Inventory. The distribution of depression scores indicated that 34.5% were depressed. Stepwise regression analysis was next used to examine the relationships between the characteristics and depression scores. Total number of self-reported symptoms and being partially housebound were positively associated with depression. Recommendations were made that health care providers for the elderly be alerted that older persons with physical complaints and those who are partially restricted to their homes may tend to develop levels of depression which might require psychiatric intervention.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 2020-2020
Author(s):  
C.A. de Mendonça Lima ◽  
R.M. Rodrigues

Suicide is a typical phenomenon of the elderly and mainly among men. Besides the importance of suicide in terms of public health there is fewer interest to prevent suicide in old age. This can be explained by stigma, poor evaluation of the dimension of the problem and lack of politic will.Suicide prevention and the care of survivors of suicide depend on the mental health network of care. Interventions to reduce suicide can be made at individual level and at level of the development of policies and strategies. The detection of the persons at risk of suicide and the management of the suicide attempt are two main strategies to prevent suicide. Both received recently an important support from WHO with its publication mhGAP Intervention Guide which was conceived to be used in non-specialized health-care settings by health-care providers working at first- and second-level facilities. It includes guidance on evidence-based interventions to make the diagnosis and manage a number of priority conditions, including suicide.Our review of the literature pointed to the necessity to develop additional research to determine:•the role of somatic disorders as precipitant factor;•the role on suicide of the pre-morbid personality, cognitive functioning, social support and recent and chronic stressing events;•the participation of normal and pathological ageing on the expression of the suicide behavior;•the biological markers of suicide in old age;•the potential impact on suicide rates of educational interventions for the general public and for caregivers.


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