Oral Issues and Related Disorders in the Elderly

With ageing, structural changes occur in the oral and perioral tissues. With age, there is a decrease in pulp cell density with increase in sentinel thickness. Over the years, it was accepted that dental caries forms through interaction of acid-forming bacteria, carbohydrates and host of other factors relating to the teeth and saliva. Today, it is acknowledged that dental caries is much more complex and is caused by the interaction between tooth structure biofilm, dietary, saliva and genetic factors. Periodontitis is most common in the elderly and is most important cause of tooth loss. Tooth wear is the result of processes such as abrasion, attrition, erosion and demastication. The most common cause of oral cancer is squamous cell cancer.