Self-reported oral and general health related to xerostomia, hyposalivation, and quality of life among caries active younger adults

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to study prevalence of xerostomia, hyposalivation and quality of life among caries active younger adults.

Materials and methods: A questionnaire regarding oral and general health, xerostomia and quality of life was mailed to 134 caries active (CA) and 40 caries inactive (CI) patients, 25–50 years of age (mean age 39.9 ± 6.2 years) treated at a Swedish Public Dental Service clinic, regarding oral and general health, xerostomia and quality of life. Caries data and unstimulated whole salivary flow rates were obtained from dental records.

Results: The overall response rate was 69%. Dental records confirmed that CA patients had more decayed teeth over time than CI patients (p < .001). The CA group reported worse oral health (p < .001) and general health (p < .01), more xerostomia (p < .001) and lower salivary flow rate (p < .01) compared to CI patients. Xerostomia was inversely related to unstimulated whole salivary flow rates as well as to oral and general health (p < .01). There were no differences between groups in quality of life.

Conclusion: Younger caries active adult patients reported significantly more xerostomia and hyposalivation compared to caries inactive patients. Xerostomia and hyposalivation were inversely related to perceptions of oral and general health, but not to quality of life.