Improvement of oral mucosa with mucin containing artificial saliva in geriatric patients.

In elderly individuals the saliva production is often decreased, leading to dry mucosal membranes and predisposition to local infections, as well as other oral problems. Eighty-five hospitalized geriatric patients, with a multitude of disabling diseases, participated in a double blind placebo-controlled study when mucin-containing artificial saliva and a placebo liquid was given. In the patients treated with the artificial saliva a considerable improvement in the condition of oral mucosa was seen. Also, in one quarter of the patients treated with the placebo liquid, the oral candida infection disappeared, possibly due to improved oral hygiene. It is reasonable to assume that general well-being increases when the condition of the oral mucosa improves. If factors causing dry mouth cannot be removed, i.e. due to diseases or ageing factors, treatment with artificial saliva could be of benefit, but the importance of good oral hygiene must not be overlooked.