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Aging and the Oral Cavity

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Geriatric Medicine

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Abstract

Oral health is relevant for everyday living since it plays a key role in eating and communicating. However, it is often neglected by people and health personnel. Oral conditions are cumulative through life. Dental decay, periodontal diseases, and tooth loss are the most prevalent globally. Dry mouth, mucosal disorders, and the utilization of dental prosthesis are also relevant during adulthood. Oral conditions have various consequences affecting everyday functioning. Tooth loss, tooth mobility, the absence of dental prostheses, and dry mouth may impact verbal communication and the ability to chew and swallow comfortably. Tooth loss and the absence of dental prostheses may harm the older people’s appearance. Tooth decay, periodontal diseases, dry mouth, and mucosal disorders may be associated with oral pain. The inflammatory response resulting from periodontal diseases and infections may have a negative impact on distant organs. Often, these consequences are experienced simultaneously, ultimately affecting physiological function and the quality of life of older people. Oral conditions are preventable and may be rehabilitated at any giving time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Geriatrics, National Institutes of Health, México D.F, Mexico

    Roberto Carlos Castrejon-Perez

Authors
  1. Roberto Carlos Castrejon-Perez
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Correspondence to Roberto Carlos Castrejon-Perez .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. California Association of Long Term Care Medicine, Newbury Park, CA, USA

    Michael R. Wasserman

  2. Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Debra Bakerjian

  3. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO, USA

    Sunny Linnebur

  4. Division of Geriatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Sharon Brangman

  5. Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Matteo Cesari

  6. Section of Geriatric Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai, Beverly Hills, CA, USA

    Sonja Rosen

Section Editor information

  1. California Association of Long Term Care Medicine, Newbury Park, CA, USA

    Michael R. Wasserman

  2. Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Matteo Cesari

  3. Geriatric Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy

    Matteo Cesari

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Castrejon-Perez, R.C. (2024). Aging and the Oral Cavity. In: Wasserman, M.R., Bakerjian, D., Linnebur, S., Brangman, S., Cesari, M., Rosen, S. (eds) Geriatric Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74720-6_60

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74720-6_60

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-74719-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-74720-6

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