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Collecting Saliva and Measuring Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase in Frail Community Residing Older Adults via Family Caregivers
Published on: December 18, 2013
Impact of aging on human salivary gland function: a community-based study
C K Yeh1, D A Johnson, M W Dodds
1Department of Dental Diagnostic Science, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284-7917, USA.
Aging (Milan, Italy)
|February 5, 1999
Summary
Salivary gland function declines with age, impacting saliva flow rates and composition. Factors like caloric intake and height also influence salivary secretions, highlighting significant age-related changes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Oral Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Salivary gland function is crucial for oral health.
- Aging is often associated with changes in bodily functions, including salivary secretion.
- Understanding age-related salivary changes is important for maintaining oral health in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively evaluate the impact of aging on salivary flow rates and composition.
- To differentiate between age-related changes and other factors affecting salivary function.
- To investigate the influence of primary aging on salivary gland function in a non-medicated population.
Main Methods:
- Collected unstimulated and stimulated saliva (whole, parotid, submandibular/sublingual) from 1006 subjects aged 35-75+.
- Measured salivary flow rates and total protein concentrations.
- Documented height and caloric intake, analyzing data using multiple regression.
Main Results:
- Significant age-related decreases in salivary secretion rates were observed across multiple saliva types in the total population.
- Similar age-related decreases were noted in the non-medicated subpopulation, particularly for unstimulated and stimulated submandibular/sublingual saliva.
- Caloric intake and height were identified as significant contributing factors to salivary flow rates in both the total and non-medicated populations.
Conclusions:
- Salivary gland function undergoes significant alterations with increasing age.
- Factors beyond aging, such as diet and physical stature, play a role in salivary secretion.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering multiple variables when assessing salivary function in aging individuals.
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