The relationship between xerostomia and saliva secretion in young adults

Abstract

The relationship between xerostomia and reduced saliva secretion is known to occur in patients suffering from dry mouth. These are mainly (frail) older people experiencing reduced saliva secretion as a result of the use of medication. In the current research, we investigated whether the severity of xerostomia could be used as predictor for saliva secretion in young adults. 369 dentistry students participated in this study, of whom 33.4% were male and 66.6% were female, with an average age of 20.2 ± 2.4 years. It was found that the severity of xerostomia in the young adult students had a weak correlation with the unstimulated saliva secretion rate. This indicates that dry mouth complaints in this age group are not a good predictor for saliva secretion. In addition, it is concluded that hyposalivation is not restricted to older people or to specific patient groups, but that even among a trial population of young adults, individuals can suffer from dry mouth and/or reduced saliva secretion.