Why Oral Health Matters

Geriatric oral and systemic health are tightly interconnected:

  • Poor oral hygiene is associated with increased incidence of pneumonia.
  • Many medications cause dry mouth, increasing risk of dental caries.
  • Diabetic glucose control and periodontal disease directly interplay, with poorer diabetes control worsening periodontal disease and vice versa.
  • Poor oral health can cause weight loss and failure to thrive.

Health care professionals of all types can play an important role in improving the overall health of their patients by addressing oral issues.

Carme Balcells/Photos.com
Carme Balcells/Photos.com

References

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Scannapieco, F.A. Pneumonia in nonambulatory patients. JADA. 2006; 137(10 supplement): 21S-25S.

Mealey, B. L., Periodontal disease and diabetes: A two-way street. JADA. 2006; 137:26-31.

Moynihan, P.J. The Relationship Between Nutrition and Systemic and Oral Well-being in Older People. JADA. 2007; 138(4): 493-497.

Adachi, M., Ishihara, K., Abe, S., Okuda, K. Professional oral health care by dental hygienists reduced respiratory infections in elderly persons requiring nursing care. Int J of Dental Hygiene. 2007; 5: 69-74.

Ishikawa, A., Yoneyama, T., Hirota, K., Miyake, Y., Miyatake, K. Professional oral health care reduces the number of orophayngeal bacteria. Journal of Dental Res, 2008; 87: 594-598.

Bassim, C.W., Gibson, G., Ward, T., Paphides, B.M., DeNucci, D.J. Modification of risk of mortality from pneumonia with oral hygiene care, J of the Am Geriatric Society, 2008; 56: 1601-1607.

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Scannapieco FA and Shay K, Oral health disparities in older adults: Oral bacteria, inflammation, and aspiration pneumonia. Dental Clinics of North America. 2014; 58(4):771-782

Muller F. Oral hygiene reduces the mortality from aspiration pneumonia in frail elders.  J. Dent Res. 2015; 94 (3 Suppl); 14S-16S.

Ouanounou A.  Xerostomia in the Geriatric Patient: Causes, oral manifestations, and treatment.  Compend. Contin. Educ.  Dent. 2016; 37(5): 306-311.

Rozas, NS et al. Strategies to improve dental health in elderly patients with cognitive impairment. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2017;148(4)236-245e3.