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In
the past, it was commonly believed that dry mouth and declining
salivary function were a natural consequence of aging. Indeed,
as noted earlier, xerostomia and salivary gland dysfunction are
more prevalent in older populations.
However, careful
studies in humans which have controlled for medication use and
intercurrent disease demonstrate that salivary function is well-preserved
across the human lifespan (Ship and Baum, 2002; Vissink and Van Nieuw Amerongen, 1996). Although the amount of
salivary tissue decreases with aging (Scott et al., 1987; Scott, 1977), in healthy older, non-medicated individuals there
is no decrement in salivary function compared to younger persons
Decreased
salivary function in older individuals is not a result of age
per se, but of the greater use of drugs and more chronic illnesses
which impact salivation (Baum,
1989). One cannot ascribe symptoms of dry mouth solely to
aging and older patients who present with new complaints of xerostomia
should be evaluated fully for systemic conditions which may be
contributing to their symptoms.
The critical
point for the clinician is that complaints of dry mouth should
not be dismissed as an expected consequence of aging.
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