Effectiveness of saliva substitute products in the treatment of dry mouth in the elderly: a pilot study.

The aging population is susceptible to developing dry mouth (xerostomia). Elderly patients present all of the major risk factors to acquiring dry mouth which include systemic diseases and disorders, such as diabetes and depression, and the use of numerous medications, including anti-hypertensives and anti-depressants. The consequences of untreated dry mouth are severe limitations of masticatory function and speech, and increased risk of developing caries, periodontal diseases and fungal infections. Assessment of xerostomia, which includes a set of signs and symptoms that impact on the individual, can only be fully explored through a thorough medical history, intra-oral examination and recording the subjective views of patients. This study suggests a methodology for the assessment of xerostomia through a xerostomia questionnaire, which was used to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a saliva substitute product (Biotène) in the treatment of xerostomia in 20 elderly patients exhibiting both severe and moderate symptoms. Wilcoxon signed-ranked tests revealed significant improvements in the number and severity of symptoms between the pre-test and the post-test groups. Biotène products were also found to be effective in the treatment of both severe and moderate symptoms of xerostomia. Biotène saliva substitutes are an acceptable and effective method of treatment for elderly people suffering from dry mouth.