Difficulty speaking and eating

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 51 views

The Prevalence of Xerostomia in the Elderly in the Department of Oral Diseases of USU FKG: A Study on the Factors Causing and Prevention

Introduction

The world is experiencing an increase in the elderly population, and Indonesia is no exception. As people age, they experience various systemic changes and oral cavity conditions. One of the common changes experienced by the elderly is dry mouth or xerostomia. This study aims to determine the prevalence of xerostomia in the elderly and identify related factors in the Department of Oral Diseases, Faculty of Dentistry, University of North Sumatra (FKG USU) in 2018-2019.

The Importance of Xerostomia Prevention and Handling

Xerostomia is a common problem in the elderly that can cause various oral health issues, such as cavities, gum disease, thrush, and difficulty speaking and eating. Therefore, it is essential to understand the factors causing xerostomia and take preventive measures to maintain the elderly's mouth health.

Research Methods

This study used a descriptive cross-sectional approach with secondary data obtained from 524 samples of elderly patient data (age 45 years and over) who were treated at the Department of Oral Diseases of USU FKG during the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019. The data collected includes age, sex, history of systemic diseases, history of drug use, and other factors such as menopause. The data were analyzed using computerized methods.

Research Results

The results showed that 39.12% (205 people) of the 524 elderly under study experience xerostomia. Conversely, 60.88% (319 people) did not experience xerostomia. The highest prevalence of xerostomia is found in the age group 55-64 years (48.29%), and xerostomia prevalence is higher in women (80.00%) than men.

Factors Causing Xerostomia

This study identifies various factors that can cause xerostomia in the elderly:

Systemic disease: As many as 75.61% (155 people) of the elderly who experience xerostomia are caused by systemic diseases. Diabetes mellitus becomes the systemic disease that is most often associated with xerostomia (70.24%).
The use of drugs: The most common drugs cause xerostomia are antihypertensive (14.63%).
Menopause: Xerostomia can also be caused by menopause (5.85%).

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that xerostomia is a problem of oral health that is commonly found in the elderly. It is essential to know that xerostomia can be caused by various factors, both systemic diseases, drug use, and hormonal changes.

The Importance of Prevention and Handling Xerostomia

Xerostomia can cause various oral health problems, such as:

Cavities: Lack of saliva can make teeth more easily damaged.
Gum disease: Xerostomia can cause dry gums and bleed easily.
Thrush: Lack of saliva can make the mouth more easily exposed to canker sores.
Difficulty speaking and eating: Xerostomia can cause difficulties in speaking and chewing food.

Therefore, prevention and handling of xerostomia is very important to maintain the elderly mouth health.

Recommendation

Consultation with a dentist regularly: Routine examination to the dentist is very important to detect Xerostomia early and get the right treatment.
Drinking adequate water: Increasing drinking water can help overcome drought in the mouth.
Using alcohol-free mouthwash: Mouthless medicine without alcohol can help maintain mouth moisture.
Using the mouth moisturizer: Oral moisturizing products that are sold freely can help relieve dryness in the mouth.
Avoid smoking: Smoking can worsen xerostomia.

By doing proper prevention and treatment, it is expected to help the elderly maintaining oral health and the quality of their life.

Discussion

The results of this study are consistent with previous studies that have shown a high prevalence of xerostomia in the elderly. The study also highlights the importance of identifying the factors causing xerostomia, such as systemic diseases, drug use, and hormonal changes. The study recommends that the elderly should consult with a dentist regularly, drink adequate water, use alcohol-free mouthwash, use the mouth moisturizer, and avoid smoking to prevent and handle xerostomia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of xerostomia prevention and handling in the elderly. The study shows that xerostomia is a common problem in the elderly that can cause various oral health issues. The study recommends that the elderly should take preventive measures to maintain their mouth health and avoid the complications of xerostomia.

Recommendation for Future Studies

Future studies should focus on the prevention and handling of xerostomia in the elderly. The studies should also investigate the effectiveness of various treatments for xerostomia, such as saliva substitutes and oral moisturizers. Additionally, the studies should explore the role of systemic diseases, drug use, and hormonal changes in causing xerostomia.

Limitation of the Study

This study has several limitations. The study used secondary data, which may not be representative of the entire population. The study also did not investigate the effectiveness of various treatments for xerostomia. Future studies should address these limitations to provide more accurate and comprehensive information on xerostomia prevention and handling.

Conclusion

Q: What is xerostomia?

A: Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is a condition where the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. This can lead to various oral health problems, such as cavities, gum disease, and difficulty speaking and eating.

Q: What are the symptoms of xerostomia?

A: The symptoms of xerostomia include:

Dry mouth
Difficulty speaking and eating
Difficulty swallowing
Bad breath
Tooth decay
Gum disease
Thrush (a fungal infection)

Q: What are the causes of xerostomia?

A: The causes of xerostomia include:

Systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus
Medications, such as antihypertensive and antidepressant medications
Hormonal changes, such as menopause
Radiation therapy to the head and neck
Sjögren's syndrome (an autoimmune disorder)
Aging

Q: How common is xerostomia in the elderly?

A: Xerostomia is a common problem in the elderly, affecting up to 40% of people over the age of 65.

Q: What are the risks of xerostomia?

A: The risks of xerostomia include:

Tooth decay and gum disease
Difficulty speaking and eating
Difficulty swallowing
Bad breath
Thrush (a fungal infection)
Increased risk of pneumonia and other respiratory infections

Q: How can xerostomia be prevented?

A: Xerostomia can be prevented by:

Drinking plenty of water
Avoiding sugary and acidic foods and drinks
Using a saliva substitute or oral moisturizer
Avoiding tobacco and nicotine products
Practicing good oral hygiene
Visiting a dentist regularly

Q: How can xerostomia be treated?

A: Xerostomia can be treated by:

Using a saliva substitute or oral moisturizer
Practicing good oral hygiene
Avoiding sugary and acidic foods and drinks
Visiting a dentist regularly
Using a humidifier to add moisture to the air
Taking medications to stimulate saliva production

Q: What are the long-term consequences of xerostomia?

A: The long-term consequences of xerostomia include:

Tooth loss
Gum disease
Difficulty speaking and eating
Difficulty swallowing
Bad breath
Thrush (a fungal infection)
Increased risk of pneumonia and other respiratory infections

Q: Can xerostomia be reversed?

A: In some cases, xerostomia can be reversed by treating the underlying cause, such as stopping a medication that is causing the condition. However, in many cases, xerostomia is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management.

Q: How can I manage xerostomia?

A: To manage xerostomia, you can:

Drink plenty of water
Use a saliva substitute or oral moisturizer
Avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks
Practice good oral hygiene
Visit a dentist regularly
Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air
Take medications to stimulate saliva production

Q: Where can I get help for xerostomia?

A: You can get help for xerostomia from:

Your primary care physician
A dentist or oral surgeon
A specialist in oral medicine
A support group for people with xerostomia

Q: What are the latest developments in xerostomia research?

A: Researchers are currently studying new treatments for xerostomia, including:

Saliva substitutes and oral moisturizers
Medications to stimulate saliva production
Stem cell therapy to regenerate salivary glands
Gene therapy to treat the underlying cause of xerostomia

Q: What are the future directions for xerostomia research?

A: Future research directions for xerostomia include:

Developing new treatments for xerostomia
Improving the effectiveness of existing treatments
Understanding the underlying causes of xerostomia
Developing new diagnostic tools for xerostomia

Q: How can I get involved in xerostomia research?

A: You can get involved in xerostomia research by:

Participating in clinical trials
Donating to organizations that support xerostomia research
Volunteering for xerostomia research studies
Participating in online forums and support groups for people with xerostomia