Yeasts are commensals in the oral cavity and may not cause disease
unless there are predisposing host factors, such as other disease, or
when medication is being taken. The elderly are at increased risk of
yeast infection. In this paper, prevalence of salivary yeasts in a group
of 368 inhabitants of Helsinki aged 76, 81, and 86 years is reported.
Salivary yeasts were counted by the Oricult-N dip-slide method, salivary
secretion rate and buffering capacity were measured, type of dentition
was noted, and signs of yeast infection and the occurrence of subjective
symptoms were determined. There was no growth of yeasts in 25% of the
subjects. From one to 20 colonies/slide were observed in 21%, 21-50
colonies in 21%, and over 50 colonies (a high count) in 33%. Subjects
with low salivary flow rates and low buffering capacities had
significantly higher yeast counts than did subjects with normal salivary
flow rates and buffering capacities. High yeast counts were found in
19% of subjects with natural teeth. The corresponding percentages in
those wearing partial or complete dentures were 32 and 41, respectively.
High salivary yeast counts were associated with oral mucosal lesions
but not with subjective complaints of oral symptoms