Impact of xerostomia on oral complaints in a group of elderly Turkish removable denture wearers

The aim of this study was to examine the correlation of subjective dry mouth assessment (xerostomia) with age, sex, denture type, wear duration, denture stability, subjective discomfort, soreness in denture-bearing tissues, and dissatisfaction with chewing, tasting, or speaking in a group of elderly Turkish removable denture wearers. The participants of this study were 229 healthy subjects, 101 males (mean age: 68.1 ± 5.2 years) and 128 females (mean age: 66.4 ± 4.2 years), all aged 60 years and above. A self-administered structured questionnaire on sensation of dry mouth, its effects in the oral mucosa and ability in the oral functions were given to the participants. Associations of the categorical variables were examined using the χ2-test (p < 0.05). Satisfaction in the ability of speaking, tasting foods, chewing hard food was determined statistically significant in patients without dry mouth (p < 0.05). Overall satisfaction of dentures was significantly higher in patients without dry mouth (p < 0.05). Participants with having dry mouth reported soreness in denture-bearing tissues in both complete and removable partial denture (RPD) wearers. It was also found that oral dryness significantly affects oral functions in terms of the satisfaction with removable denture and the ability in the oral functions independent to education level or gender.