Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Effect of Prescribed Medications on Oral Health in Older Adults: A Review of Reviews(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-12-01) Alnashwan, Mohammed; Tsakos, GeorgeBackground The global demographic is experiencing an increasingly ageing population. Older adults are frequently prescribed medications to manage chronic diseases they accumulate over the years. Occasionally, these medications can have undesirable side effects on oral health, compromising oral health in the process. Implications of ageing, polypharmacy and systemic diseases can further complicate this issue in the context of older adults. Aim The aim of this is study to conduct a literature review on the existing reviews on the effect of prescribed medications on oral health in older adults. Methods A narrative literature review of reviews published between 2000 and 2023 on effect of prescribed medications on oral health in older adults was conducted. Literature search was conducted using online databases Ovid Medline and Embase, which retrieved 463 studies. Only 18 studies that matched the eligibility criteria were included for the review. Relevant findings were reported from each study and summarized in a narrative synthesis. Results Many side effects from certain medications have been reported in older adults, with one of most frequent being xerostomia, or dry mouth. Upwards of 400 medications including anticholinergics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antihypertensives, antipsychotics and bronchodilators have been identified as potential xerostomia inducers among many others. Cardiovascular medicines like beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers can cause symptoms ranging from taste disturbances to gingival enlargement in addition to dry mouth. Diabetes has bidirectional connections with oral health issues, where poorly managed diabetes can lead to infections and bone loss, and certain antidiabetic drugs cause taste disturbances and other complications. Mental health medications pose a significant risk to oral health as well, with antidepressants leading to dental caries due to xerostomia, and some types of antidepressants can induce teeth clenching and bruxism among other issues. Other medications such as anxiolytics and antipsychotics have been xerostomia. In addition, anticonvulsants has been reported to cause gingival enlargement and taste disturbance. Respiratory diseases medications are also associated with a number of oral health side effects. Some bronchodilators are associated with dry mouth, and certain respiratory inhalants can cause changes in taste perception. Systemic corticosteroid usage may cause impaired wound healing and taste disturbances, while chronic use of such medications might even induce osteoporosis in older adults. Conclusion Older adults are prone to side effects from medications, including xerostomia, which can further worsen existing oral health issues and induce new issues like speech difficulties and higher infection risk. This is often caused by medications for chronic illnesses, including those treating hypertension, diabetes, mental health conditions and respiratory diseases. Medications for such diseases can even lead to various oral problems such as gingival hyperplasia, lichenoid reactions and dysgeusia, ultimately leading to compromised oral health in older adults. Therefore, it is important to research medications with fewer negative impacts on oral health. The ultimate goal is to incorporate oral health for the comprehensive wellbeing of the elderly.16 0