A review screened 3,433 records through April 2025 and included 23 studies: 21 cross-sectional and two cohorts of adults 75+. Polypharmacy was associated with dry mouth (pooled OR 2.05), with consistent links between more medicines, hyposalivation and poor OHAT scores. Multimorbidity was not consistently related to dry mouth or OHAT, and both exposures showed uncertain associations with teeth, edentulism and function. Polypharmacy may affect salivary outcomes partly beyond disease count, but longitudinal evidence is needed.
Key findings
- Twenty-three studies; polypharmacy-dry-mouth OR 2.05 (95% CI 1.31-3.22); more drugs linked hyposalivation and OHAT; multimorbidity inconsistent; teeth and function unclear.
Why this matters globally
The findings support medication review and salivary assessment, especially anticholinergic burden, with medical, pharmacy and dental coordination to reduce caries, swallowing and nutrition risks.
Thai researcher contribution
Kittipit Srisanoi, Frauke Müller and Murali Srinivasan of Khon Kaen and Chulalongkorn universities synthesize medication and geriatric oral-health evidence.
Limitations to consider
Twenty-one of 23 studies were cross-sectional, so indication confounding remains. Drug burden may reflect disease, definitions vary, subjective xerostomia differs from measured flow, and deprescribing carries risks requiring individualized review.
Verify the original sources
GerodontologyRead the original article↗DOI: 10.1111/ger.70065