Dry mouth syndrome in elderly
14 August 2002
Dry mouth syndrome, or xerostomia as doctors call it, is a problem for one in 4 adult Australians.
Medications, such as antihypertensives, antidepressants and diuretics, and the natural processes of ageing are the usual culprits that cause it.
Chairman of the Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health Education Committee Dr Don Wilson said lack of saliva was one of the biggest issues dentists needed to tackle in order to ensure older Australians had a better standard of oral health.
Saliva is an important defence against tooth decay as well as making speaking, chewing and swallowing more comfortable. It clears decay-causing bacteria and food debris from the mouth and has antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Saliva flow slows naturally with age, according to Dr Wilson, and this gradual loss means that many older people don’t realise how severe it may have become.
People can stimulate their saliva flow by chewing sugar-free gum or sucking a solid object, but should avoid sugary sweets such as lozenges, particularly those containing citric acid.
When the mouth is dry it is vulnerable to attack from bacteria, and sugar and food acid are the worst things you can introduce to your mouth at that time,’ Dr Wilson said.
The best treatment of all is taking frequent sips of water, and avoiding foods and drinks which dry the mouth, such as sugary drinks, sports drinks, and those with caffeine, such as coffee, tea and cola and high-caffeine energy drinks.
If you do eat or drink those types of foods, have a drink of water immediately afterwards, and rinse water around your mouth.’
The pattern of decay in people with a dry mouth is different to that which occurs in young people. Decay may often happen at the gum line, and in severe cases even the lower front teeth will show signs of decay,’ Dr Wilson explained.
Last Reviewed: 13 August 2002
