Which is NOT a consequence of hyposalivation?

• A. Increased denture retention
• B. Oral mucosa prone to traumatic ulceration and infection
• C. Alteration in taste
• D. Higher plaque retention leading to gingivitis

Answer: (A)

Hyposalivation reduces saliva’s protective roles—lubrication, antimicrobial action, buffering, and cleansing—so it causes several predictable changes in the mouth. Increased denture retention would not be expected because saliva helps create a moist seal and surface tension that aid denture suction and retention; with less saliva, the seal weakens and retention typically decreases. In contrast, the reduced lubrication and protective factors make the oral mucosa more prone to friction injury, trauma, and infection, so traumatic ulcers and infections are common. Taste alteration occurs because saliva dissolves taste substances and delivers them to taste receptors, so diminished saliva changes taste perception. Finally, less saliva means poorer cleansing of the teeth and a slower clearance of bacteria, leading to higher plaque accumulation and an increased risk of gingivitis.