Social isolation and oral health

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In this blog Carly Ross takes a look at a review assessing the association between social isolation and oral health in adults. The findings suggested no strong association however, only 4 studies were included and these were of limited quality.

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Malic acid spray for treating xerostomia

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This review of the efficacy of topical sialogogue spray containing malic acid 1% for treating xerostomia included 5 RCTs involving 244 patients. While the findings suggested a benefit the available studies are small, of short duration and none are at low risk of bias.

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Top Dental Elf Blogs: Oct – Dec 2020

The Dental Elf

Blogs on Hyposalivation in the elderly, powered toothbrushes for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and the impact of smoking on the outcomes of non-surgical periodontal treatment were our most popular blogs.

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Hyposalivation: Prevalence in the elderly

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13 studies involving a total of 3885 patients were included in this review of the prevalence of hyposalivation in individuals aged ≥ 60 years. The findings suggest an overall prevalence of 33.4% (95%CI; 23.9- 43.6%).

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Dry mouth: Are oral health programmes for community dwelling elderly beneficial?

Older people with learning disabilities need opportunities to speak for themselves

This review of whether oral health promotion programmes for community‐dwelling elderly were effective in improving oral health and oral saliva secretion or in decreasing dry mouth included 9 studies most of which came from a single country

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Sjögren’s syndrome: treatments for dry mouth and hyposalivation

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36 studies were included in this review of treatment options for xerostomia, hyposalivation and quality of life in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome provinding evidence to support pilocarpine use. However the number of studies were limited and adverse effects were common.

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Medication for mental health: Oral health impacts

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This review of the side effects of medications prescribed for the management of mental health highlights their potential impact on oral health. The commonest problems being xerostomia.

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Drugs to prevent salivary gland damage following radiotherapy to the head and neck

This Cochrane review of drugs for the prevention of radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction included 39 studies, while a range of agents was tested the evidence found is not sufficient to highlight much promise in terms of effective preventative treatments.

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Eating disorders associated with poor oral health

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This new systematic review explored the links between eating disorders and oral health, which were first noted in the 1970s. Ten studies were included in the review and higher odds of dental erosion were seen in those with eating disorders, with the odds being greater in those with self-induced vomiting.

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Parasympathomimetic drugs for dry mouth after radiotherapy

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The update of a 2007 Cochrane review of parasympathomimetic drugs for dry mouth after radiotherapy did not identify an new studies. The 3 RCTs identified in the previous version provide limited evidence to support the use of pilocarpine hydrochloride in the treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia.

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