Hyposalivation is an important problem in elders and could interfere with several oral functions and microbial ecology. While the number of independent elders who retain more natural teeth increases worldwide, few studies examined hyposalivation in this population. Thus, this study aims to examine relationships between hyposalivation, oral health conditions and oral Candida colonization in independent dentate elders and evaluate factors associated with salivary flow and Candida carriage. We conducted a cross-sectional study in fifty-three dentate elders (≥65 years old with at least 4 pairs of posterior occlusal contacts) with no, or well-controlled, systemic conditions. Participants were interviewed for medical history, subjective dry mouth symptoms, oral hygiene practices and denture information. Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates, objective dry mouth signs, gingival, tongue-coating, and root-caries indices were recorded. Stimulated saliva was cultured on Sabouraud-dextrose agar for Candida counts. Candida species were identified using chromogenic Candida agar and polymerase chain reaction. Statistical significance level was set at p<0.05. The results showed that hyposalivation was associated with higher gingival and tongue-coating indices (p = 0.003 and 0.015, respectively), but not root-caries index. Hyposalivation was also associated with higher prevalence of oral Candida colonization (p = 0.010; adjusted OR = 4.36, 95% confidence interval = 1.29–14.72). These two indices and Candida load were negatively correlated with unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates. Interestingly, non-albicans Candida species were more prevalent in denture wearers (p = 0.017). Hence, hyposalivation is a risk factor for poorer oral health and oral Candida colonization in independent dentate elders. Because of its potential adverse effects on oral and systemic health, hyposalivation should be carefully monitored in elders.

低唾液酸化是老年人的重要问题，可能会干扰多种口腔功能和微生物生态。尽管全世界保留更多自然牙齿的独立长者的数量在增加，但很少有研究检查该人群的唾液分泌不足。因此，本研究旨在检查独立的齿状老年人口水不足，口腔健康状况和念珠菌定植之间的关系，并评估与唾液流量和念珠菌有关的因素运输。我们在无或完全控制全身性疾病的53名齿状长者（≥65岁，至少有4对后牙合）中进行了横断面研究。对参加者进行了病史，主观口干症状，口腔卫生习惯和义齿信息的采访。记录未刺激和刺激的唾液流速，客观口干症状，牙龈，舌苔和根龋指数。受刺激的唾液在Sabouraud-葡萄糖琼脂上培养，用于念珠菌计数。念珠菌物种使用生色鉴定念珠菌琼脂和聚合酶链反应。统计显着性水平设定为p <0。05。结果表明，唾液分泌减少与较高的牙龈和舌头涂指数相关（P = 0。003和0。015，分别地），而不是根龋指数。唾液分泌减少也与口服的发病率较高有关念珠菌定植（p值= 0。010;调整OR = 4.36，95％置信区间= 1.29-14.72）。这两个指数和念珠菌负荷与唾液流速未经刺激和受刺激呈负相关。有趣的是，非白色假丝酵母菌种为在义齿佩戴者（更普遍p值= 0。017）。因此，唾液分泌不足是独立齿状长者口腔健康和口腔念珠菌定植较差的危险因素。由于其对口腔和全身健康的潜在不利影响，老年人应仔细监测唾液分泌不足的情况。