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depression around the neck of the teeth there is an increase of precancerous and
(abrasion); chemical dissolution (erosion) cancerous lesions. Smoking, tobacco and
, abnormal forces in tooth to tooth contact alcohol consumption and lack of good oral
causing wedged shaped notches around hygiene increases the risk of cancer.
the necks of the teeth (abfraction). These Importance of Dental Care
result in hypersensitivity, sharp teeth
edges that abrade the tongue/mucosa,
reduced height of the teeth and the teeth
in turn lowers face height. Reduction in
the face height due to attrition can lead to
temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
4 Xerostomia (Dry Mouth) It affects 30%
of the patients above the age of 65 years.
There is an increased risk of dental caries,
gum disease, difficulty speaking and
swallowing, burning mouth syndrome,
taste alterations and denture related An oral healthy ageing adult
soreness, ulcers, and fungal infection. Periodic visits to the dentist is of
paramount importance. Oral disease is
inevitable, but disease does not inevitably
mean poor quality of life. The focus of the
dentist in the ageing adult is to improve
the oral health quality of life against a
declining oral and general health, keeping
in focus the patient, rather than the
disease.
Management of chronic infection through
extraction, root canal therapy and gum
treatment is essential. Dental carries and
Total edentulism treated with implant supported fixed teeth wear can be successfully treated
prosthesis through restorations.
5 Edentulism (Tooth loss) This affects In case of partial or complete edentulism,
the nutritional intake and poses the risk of placement of implants and complete/
malnutrition and negatively impacts the partial dentures improve the function.
self-esteem and oral-health related quality Regular oral hygiene maintenance through
of life. Older adults with multiple missing scaling (clean ups) helps in improving the
teeth have a 55% higher risk of having gum health.
dementia. In case of dry mouth, salivary substitutes
6 Oral Precancerous and Cancerous and oral mucosal moisturisers are
Lesions prescribed. A detailed counselling can be
The outer epithelium of the mucosa obtained regarding the management of
becomes thinner and permeable to toxic a dry mouth. Oral cancer is successfully
substances and less disease resistant, thus treated through surgery, chemotherapy
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #63 | SEPTEMBER 2024 9
