Oral Health Status and Need for Oral Care in an Aging Population: A Systematic Review.

Dorina Lauritano,Massimo Petruzzi,Dario Di Stasio,Francesco Carinci,Alberta Lucchese,Fedora Della Vella,Giulia Moreo

doi:10.3390/ijerph16224558

Abstract

Background. The world population is aging. This phenomenon is accompanied by an increase in the number of elderly with dementia, whose oral hygiene care is a challenge. Objective. This paper presents a literature review of oral health status and the need for oral care in people with dementia, as compared to people without dementia and also of the relationship between periodontal disease and cognitive impairment. Methods. A systematic review was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. Fifty-six articles met the inclusion criteria and were consequently included for quality assessment and data extraction. Results. No significant differences were found between both groups with regard to the number of present teeth, DMFT Index, edentulousness/use of denture, and orofacial pain. Coronal/root caries and retained roots were more common in people with dementia than in those without dementia. Most of the participants with dementia presented gingival bleeding or inflammation and they suffered from the periodontal disease more than people without dementia. Conclusions. Poor oral health is a common condition among the elderly with dementia. The education process of caregivers might improve the oral health status of people with dementia. Finally, periodontal disease might contribute to the onset or progression of dementia.

Highlights

The transition from high to low mortality and fertility that accompanied the socioeconomic development of this century has meant a shift in the leading causes of disease and death and an increase of general health problems [1].As a consequence, a decline of the oral health conditions of the elderly, such as dental caries and periodontal disease, is to be expected [2]
Several studies analyzed the relationship between poor oral health and cognitive impairment, which suggests that cognitive decline might negatively impact oral health and that poor oral health might lead to cognitive decline via specific biological mechanisms [3]
Inclusion criteria of participants were a diagnosis of dementia and the availability of data related to their oral health

Summary

Introduction

A decline of the oral health conditions of the elderly, such as dental caries and periodontal disease, is to be expected [2]. Poor oral health is more common in the elderly suffering from dementia, a disorder that will become prevalent with advancing age of the world population. This phenomenon is accompanied by an increase in the number of elderly with dementia, whose oral hygiene care is a challenge. This paper presents a literature review of oral health status and the need for oral care in people with dementia, as compared to people without dementia and of the relationship between periodontal disease and cognitive impairment. Poor oral health is a common condition among the elderly with dementia. Periodontal disease might contribute to the onset or progression of dementia

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion