Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Oral Health of the Ageing Population

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Nutrition and Oral Health

Abstract

Worldwide, the population is ageing. In many higher income countries, as birth rates fall and life expectancy increases, the proportion of older adults within the general population has increased. This has been one of the most distinctive demographic events of the last century and is predicted to continue at pace in the twenty-first century. Alongside population ageing, the oral health of older adults has also changed markedly with the emergence of a partially dentate older population. As patients retain more of their natural teeth for longer this does present challenges for the dental profession. Whilst construction of complete replacement dentures previously dominated oral care for older adults, prevention and management of chronic dental diseases are now increasingly important. Unfortunately this means that the burden of oral healthcare for the ageing population is also rising sharply and as oral health conditions exert an excessive burden on older adults, oral health inequalities have become a major concern. In this chapter, we discuss the impact of changing population and oral epidemiology on oral healthcare provision for older adults.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lesthaeghe R, Moors G. Europe’s demographic issues: fertility, household formation and replacement migration. United Nations Expert Group Meeting on Policy Responses to Population Decline and Ageing, New York, October 16–18, 2000, UN Population Division; reprinted by the Netherlands Society for International Affairs in: Population Issues—The Human Dimension, 2000. p. 45–73.

    Google Scholar 

  2. United Nations. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Ageing. 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Lõpez-Campos JL, Tan W, Soriano JB. Global burden of COPD. Respirology. 2016;21(1):14–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/resp.12660.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Farrar NS. With respect to old age: long term care-rights and responsibilities. Br J Soc Work. 2000;30(6):897–9.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Boss GR, Seegmiller JE. Age-related physiological changes and their clinical significance. West J Med. 1981;135(6):434–40.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Roberts S, Colombier P, Sowman A, et al. Ageing in the musculoskeletal system. Acta Orthop. 2016;87:15–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/17453674.2016.1244750.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Pati S, Agrawal S, Swain S, et al. Non communicable disease multimorbidity and associated health care utilization and expenditures in India: cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2014;14:451. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-14-451.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Barnett K, Mercer SW, Norbury M, Watt G, Wyke S, Guthrie B. Epidemiology of multimorbidity and implications for health care, research, and medical education: a cross-sectional study. Lancet. 2012;380(9836):37–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60240-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Wallace E, Salisbury C, Guthrie B, Lewis C, Fahey T, Smith SM. Managing patients with multimorbidity in primary care. BMJ. 2015;350:h176. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h176.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Raghupathi W, Raghupathi V. An empirical study of chronic diseases in the United States: a visual analytics approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(3):431. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15030431.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. World Health Organization. Noncommunicable diseases country profiles 2018. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Wiener RC, Wu B, Crout R, et al. Hyposalivation and xerostomia in dentate older adults. J Am Dent Assoc. 2010;141(3):279–84. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2010.0161.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Hayes M, Da Mata C, Cole M, McKenna G, Burke F, Allen PF. Risk indicators associated with root caries in independently living older adults. J Dent. 2016;51:8–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2016.05.006.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Hayes M, Allen E, Da Mata C, McKenna G, Burke F. Minimal intervention dentistry and older patients Part 1: Risk assessment and caries prevention. Dent Update. 2014;41(5):406–8. https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2014.41.5.406.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Matear DW, Locker D, Stephens M, Lawrence HP. Associations between xerostomia and health status indicators in the elderly. J R Soc Promot Heal. 2006;126(2):79–85. https://doi.org/10.1177/1466424006063183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Prince M, Bryce R, Albanese E, Wimo A, Ribeiro W, Ferri CP. The global prevalence of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Alzheimer’s Dement. 2013;9(1):63–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2012.11.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Steele J, Sullivan IO. Executive summary: adult dental health survey 2009. Heal San Francisco. 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Guiney H, Woods N, Whelton H, O’Mullane D. Non-biological factors associated with tooth retention in Irish adults. Commun Dent Health. 2011;28(1):53–9. https://doi.org/10.1922/CDH_2523Guiney07.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Cronin M, Meaney S, Jepson NJA, Allen PF. A qualitative study of trends in patient preferences for the management of the partially dentate state. Gerodontology. 2009;26(2):137–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-2358.2008.00239.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Pearce MS, Thomson WM, Walls AWG, Steele JG. Lifecourse socio-economic mobility and oral health in middle age. J Dent Res. 2009;88(10):938–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034509344524.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Aida J, Kondo K, Kondo N, Watt RG, Sheiham A, Tsakos G. Income inequality, social capital and self-rated health and dental status in older Japanese. Soc Sci Med. 2011;73(10):1561–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.09.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Bernabé E, Watt RG, Sheiham A, et al. Childhood socioeconomic position, adult sense of coherence and tooth retention. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2012;40(1):46–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.2011.00633.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Sheiham A. Delivering dental care: changing needs and future requirements. Br Dent J. 2005;199:187. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4812682.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Da Mata C, McKenna G, Burke FM. Caries and the older patient. Dent Update. 2011;38(6):376–8. https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2011.38.6.376.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Javidi H, Tickle M, Aggarwal VR. Repair vs. replacement of failed restorations in general dental practice: Factors influencing treatment choices and outcomes. Br Dent J. 2015;218(1):E2. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.1165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Kelly M, Steele J, Nuttall N, Bradnock G, Morris J, Nunn J, et al. Adult dental health survey: oral health in the United Kingdom 1998. London: Palgrave Macmillan; 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  27. White DA, Tsakos G, Pitts NB, et al. Adult dental health survey 2009: common oral health conditions and their impact on the population. Br Dent J. 2012;213(11):567–72. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2012.1088.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Hayes M, Blum IR, da Mata C. Contemporary challenges and management of dental caries in the older population. Prim Dent J. 2020;9(3):18–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050168420943075.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Hayes M, Allen E, Da Mata C, McKenna G, Burke F. Minimal intervention dentistry and older patients Part 2: minimally invasive operative interventions. Dent Update. 2014;41(6):500–2. https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2014.41.6.500.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Da Mata C, McKenna G, Anweigi L, et al. An RCT of atraumatic restorative treatment for older adults: 5 year results. J Dent. 2019;83:95–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2019.03.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Renvert S, Persson GR. Treatment of periodontal disease in older adults. Periodontol2000. 2016;72(1):108–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/prd.12130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Genco RJ, Borgnakke WS. Risk factors for periodontal disease. Periodontol 2000. 2013;62(1):59–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0757.2012.00457.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Briggs JE, McKeown PP, Crawford VLS, et al. Angiographically confirmed coronary heart disease and periodontal disease in middle-aged males. J Periodontol. 2006;77(1):95–102. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2006.77.1.95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Linden GJ, Lyons A, Scannapieco FA. Periodontal systemic associations: review of the evidence. J Clin Periodontol. 2013;40:S8–S19. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12064.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Tonetti MS, Aiuto FD, Nibali L, et al. Treatment of periodontitis and endothelial function. New Engl J Med. 2007;356(9):911–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Graham L, Turner W. Periodontal Disease in an Ageing Population: Key Considerations in Diagnosis and Management for the Dental Healthcare Professional. Prim Dent J. 2020;9(3):23–8. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050168420943407.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. James P, Worthington HV, Parnell C, et al. Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;3(3):CD008676. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008676.pub2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Iwasaki M, Borgnakke WS, Ogawa H, et al. Effect of lifestyle on 6-year periodontitis incidence or progression and tooth loss in older adults. J Clin Periodontol. 2018;45(8):896–908. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12920.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Martinez-Herrera M, Silvestre-Rangil J, Silvestre FJ. Association between obesity and periodontal disease: A systematic review of epidemiological studies and controlled clinical trials. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2017;22(6):e708–15. https://doi.org/10.4317/medoral.21786.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Sanz M, Lang NP, Kinane DF, Berglundh T, Chapple I, Tonetti MS. Seventh European Workshop on Periodontology of the European Academy of Periodontology at the Parador at La Granja, Segovia. Spain J Clin Periodontol. 2011;38:1–2. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-051X.2010.01692.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Burke FM, McKenna G. Toothwear and the older patient. Dent Update. 2011;38(3):165–8. https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2011.38.3.165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Gilmour AG, Morgan CL. Restorative management of the elderly patient. Prim Dent Care. 2003;10(2):45–8. https://doi.org/10.1308/135576103322500728.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Allen F. Pragmatic care for an aging compromised dentition. Aust Dent J. 2019;64(S1):S63–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/adj.12670.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Jordão HWT, Coleman HG, Kunzmann AT, McKenna G. The association between erosive toothwear and gastro-oesophageal reflux-related symptoms and disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent. 2020;95:103284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2020.103284.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Jordão HWT, McKenna G, McMenamin ÚC, Kunzmann AT, Murray LJ, Coleman HG. The association between self-reported poor oral health and gastrointestinal cancer risk in the UK Biobank: A large prospective cohort study. United Eur Gastroenterol J. 2019;7(9):1241–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050640619858043.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. O’Toole S, Bernabé E, Moazzez R, Bartlett D. Timing of dietary acid intake and erosive tooth wear: a case-control study. J Dent. 2017;56:99–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2016.11.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Allen PF. Use of tooth-coloured restorations in the management of toothwear. Dent Update. 2003;30(10):550–6. https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2003.30.10.550.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Yule PL, Barclay SC. Worn down by toothwear? Aetiology, diagnosis and management revisited. Dent Update. 2015;42(6):525–6. https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2015.42.6.525.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Al-Khayatt AS, Ray-Chaudhuri A, Poyser NJ, et al. Direct composite restorations for the worn mandibular anterior dentition: A 7-year follow-up of a prospective randomised controlled split-mouth clinical trial. J Oral Rehabil. 2013;40(5):389–401. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12042.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

Figures 4.1 and 4.2 have been reproduced from the World Population Ageing by the Department of Economic Social Affairs Population Division, © 2015 United Nations. Reprinted with the permission of the United Nations.

Figure 4.3 has been reproduced using information from NHS Digital, licenced under the current version of the Open Government Licence.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom

    Gerry McKenna

  2. Clinic of General, Special Care and Geriatric Dentistry, Centre of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Murali Srinivasan

  3. Department of Prevention and Oral Rehabilitation, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia, Brazil

    Claudio Leles

  4. Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Martin Schimmel

Authors
  1. Gerry McKenna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Murali Srinivasan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Claudio Leles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Martin Schimmel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerry McKenna .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK

    Gerry McKenna

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

McKenna, G., Srinivasan, M., Leles, C., Schimmel, M. (2021). The Oral Health of the Ageing Population. In: McKenna, G. (eds) Nutrition and Oral Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80526-5_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80526-5_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-80525-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-80526-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation