Dry mouth can occur related to medication side effects & other contributing factors. This increases the risk of bacterial plaque and tartar formation. A dry mouth can be very uncomfortable. It can contribute to swallowing issues, increase the risk of oral related infections and impact overall health.
Older adults are at an increased risk of xerostomia (dry mouth) from medication side effects and natural aging. A dry mouth can also promote candidiasis – a yeast infection of the mouth. Detection and proper care afterwards is essential to avoid re-contamination/infection. When debris and bacterial plaque remain in the mouth at high levels this can lead to aspiration pneumonia and general poor health.