title: Oral implications of polypharmacy in the elderly.
abstract: One of the major side effects of medications prescribed to elderly patients is the qualitative and quantitative alteration of saliva (salivary hypofunction). Saliva plays a pivotal role in the homeostasis of the oral cavity because of its protective and functional properties, including facilitating speech, swallowing, enhancing taste, buffering and neutralizing intrinsic and extrinsic acid, remineralizing teeth, maintaining the oral mucosal health, preventing overgrowth of noxious microorganisms, and xerostomia. With salivary hypofunction, a plethora of complications arise, resulting in decreased quality of life. The anticholinergic effects of medications can be overcome, and the oral cavity can be restored to normalcy.
authors.affiliation: Dry Mouth Clinic, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, 1 Kneeland Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA; Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, Craniofacial Pain, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, 1 Kneeland Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA. Electronic address: Mabi_l.singh@tufts.edu.
authors.forename: Mabi L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Medicine, Department of Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, Craniofacial Pain, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, 1 Kneeland Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Athena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Elderly; Medications; Polypharmacy; Saliva; Salivary hypofunction