Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Collecting Saliva and Measuring Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase in Frail Community Residing Older Adults via Family Caregivers
Published on: December 18, 2013
[The relationship between xerostomia and saliva secretion in young adults]
Abstract:
The relationship between xerostomia and reduced saliva secretion is known to occur in patients suffering from dry mouth. These are mainly (frail) older people experiencing reduced saliva secretion as a result of the use of medication. In the current research, we investigated whether the severity of xerostomia could be used as predictor for saliva secretion in young adults. 369 dentistry students participated in this study, of whom 33.4% were male and 66.6% were female, with an average age of 20.2 ± 2.4 years. It was found that the severity of xerostomia in the young adult students had a weak correlation with the unstimulated saliva secretion rate. This indicates that dry mouth complaints in this age group are not a good predictor for saliva secretion. In addition, it is concluded that hyposalivation is not restricted to older people or to specific patient groups, but that even among a trial population of young adults, individuals can suffer from dry mouth and/or reduced saliva secretion.
Related Concept Videos
Salivary Glands and Saliva
Regulation of Water Intake
Physiology of the Gastrointestinal System I: Ingestion and Propulsion
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.

