Dental & Oral Health

In Brazil, 8.6% of the total population is 60 years old and most of them consume 60% of the national production of medicines. Due to the mouth-related (oral) side effects of medications and its impact on public health, the aim of this study was to analyze the association between salivary flow and the use of medications in the elderly, as well as to enquire if patients who use medicines were told about the possible side effects in the oral cavity. Methodology: This research was a case study (n = 30) of people aged over 60 that attended the dental clinic of Herrero School of Dentistry, approved by the ethics committee of the institution. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected and data were obtained through a questionnaire, after application of IC. Salivary volume flow and pH were assessed, and data were subjected to statistical analysis with p = 0.05 significance level. Findings: None of the patients in this study had ever received any professional information about possible oral side effects of medication. The results showed that the salivary flow of 59.37% of the sample was between 0 and 0.25 ml / l and that 68.75% had a pH between 6.1 and 7. The use of some medication was reported by 78.1% of the sample and the all the 14 pharmacological groups indicated were significantly associated with changes in the oral cavity such as dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, chewing and difficulty swallowing solid foods.