How can a patient with xerostomia prevent caries and periodontal disease?

• A. Meticulous oral hygiene and use of increased strength topical fluorides such as 1.1% sodium fluoride
• B. Regular purging
• C. Avoid brushing
• D. Use of antihistamines

Answer: (A)

In xerostomia, saliva’s protective roles—cleansing the teeth, buffering acids, and delivering minerals for remineralization—are reduced, so the risk of caries and periodontal problems rises. The best prevention combines meticulous plaque control with strong fluoride protection. Thorough brushing and flossing keep the biofilm—the main source of acids and gum irritation—to a minimum, while a high-strength topical fluoride (such as 1.1% sodium fluoride) provides greater remineralization and helps inhibit demineralization when saliva is limited. This dual approach directly compensates for the lack of saliva by reducing bacterial load and strengthening enamel against acid attacks. The other options don’t address these needs: regular purging has no preventive dental benefit, avoiding brushing increases plaque and caries risk, and antihistamines can worsen dryness rather than prevent caries or periodontal disease.