Journal Article

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

Buranarom, Nada, Komin, Orapin, Matangkasombut, Oranart

2020

Overview

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.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Aged / Biology and Life Sciences / Candida / Candida albicans - pathogenicity / Candidiasis / Candidiasis, Oral - epidemiology / Candidiasis, Oral - microbiology / Candidiasis, Oral - pathology / Candidiasis, Oral - prevention & control / Colonization / Complications and side effects / Confidence intervals / Dental caries / Dental materials / Dental Prosthesis - microbiology / Dentistry / Dentures / Dextrose / Diagnosis / Ecology / Ecology and Environmental Sciences / Elderly / Female / Flow rates / Flow velocity / Geriatrics / Health aspects / Hospitals / Humans / Hygiene / Infections / Inflammation / Load distribution / Male / Medicine and Health Sciences / Microorganisms / Middle Aged / Mouth / Mouth - microbiology / Mouth diseases / Mouth, Edentulous - epidemiology / Mouth, Edentulous - microbiology / Mouth, Edentulous - pathology / Older people / Oral Health / Oral hygiene / Physical Sciences / Polymerase chain reaction / Population / Population studies / Prostheses / Research and Analysis Methods / Risk analysis / Risk Factors / Saliva / Saliva - microbiology / Salivary gland diseases / Secretory Rate / Statistical analysis / Teeth / Tongue / Xerostomia - epidemiology / Xerostomia - microbiology / Xerostomia - pathology