Aging is a natural process and old age should be regarded as a normal, unavoidable biological phenomenon. Oral health is not separate from general health, but maintaining oral health is definitely difficult and different in old age. Geriatrics is a specialty that focuses on the health care of elderly people. Also, It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults.
The World Health Organization (WHO) sets 55 as the beginning of old age. Oral health plays a role both as a benchmark for and a determinant of the quality of life rather than the length of lifespan.
The susceptibility of older adults to oral conditions or diseases increases due to an increase in chronic conditions and physical/mental disabilities. Advancing age puts many elderly people at risk for a number of oral health problems, therefore, there is a need for special knowledge, attitudes, and skills to provide oral health care to the elderly. Some of the geriatric problems are due to physiological tissue changes and some are the basic diseases and disorders intensified by age changes.
Aging not only affects general health, but the effect of aging on oral health can also be seen that includes effect on the oral mucosa, lips, teeth, and other associated structures. Due to the hypo functioning of these structures, reduced activity can be seen that may lead to difficulties in speech, mastication, swallowing, and pain leading to anxiety and depression.
Let's look into the most common dental problems associated with aging -
Gum recession
Sensitivity due to attrition in the enamel
Dry mouth
Burning mouth
Bad breath
Alteration in the taste of food
Dental decay
Tooth mobility
Missing teeth and difficulty in chewing
Oral ulcers
Spacing between teeth and frequent food lodgment
Gum diseases
And the consequence of any of these problems is compromised nutritional status of the patient……!
Adequate nutrition is a vital factor in promoting the health and well-being of the aged. Poor oral health can be a detrimental factor to nutritional status and health. Disorders of the oral cavity have contributed to poor eating habits in the elderly. Loose painful teeth or ill-fitting dentures may result in a reduced desire or ability to eat. A compromised nutritional status, in turn, can further undermine the integrity of the oral cavity are closely interrelated, diet and nutrition should be considered as an integral part of the oral health assessment and management of the elderly.
Dental status is considered to be an important contributing factor to health and adequate nutrition in the elderly. Missing dentition and ill-fitting dentures cause difficulty in chewing and perception of the taste of foods.
Although chewing efficiency and nutritional status improve when inadequate dentition or edentulousness is corrected with partial or complete dentures, with these replacements, mastication is less efficient than with intact natural dentition. Denture status may contribute to dietary changes to soft; easily masticate certain foods, which are often high in fermentable carbohydrates that may predispose to the development of root caries lesions.
Dentists are hence in an ideal position to contribute to the well-being of the elderly population. We carefully screen and intervene early stages of all dental problems among geriatric patients and provide the most effective and ethical treatment.
A variety of oral changes may be observed in elderly patients. These changes can be attributed to a variety of physiological and pathological processes which have developed over a lifetime. Clinically, it is important to recognize these changes and to develop planning strategies that take account of them. As the number of geriatric population and their associated oral and general health problems are considerably increasing with time, there is a need for a clear understanding of the correlation of systemic health with oral health and providing support and treatment for the same.
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