COMMON ORAL HEALTH ISSUES AMONG ELDERLY PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN WESTERN TAMIL NADU, INDIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

SRIRAM BALAJI SRINIVASAN; SHARAVANAN GM; VIDHYA ELANGO; JEEVITHAN SHANMUGAM

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2024.v17i1.49942

Authors

SRIRAM BALAJI SRINIVASAN Department of Dentistry, KMCH, IHSR, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
SHARAVANAN GM Department of Dentistry, KMCH, IHSR, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
VIDHYA ELANGO Department of Ophthalmology, KMCH, IHSR, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
JEEVITHAN SHANMUGAM Department of Community Medicine, KMCH IHSR, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2024.v17i1.49942

Keywords:

Oral problems, Gum diseases, Dental caries

Abstract

Objectives: Oral health is a pivotal and underestimated domain, especially among the various facets of our health. From the wear and tear accumulated over decades of use to the interplay of chronic health conditions and medications, the elderly population faces a distinct set of oral health concerns that demand careful attention and proactive management. Understanding the complex relationship between oral health and aging is essential, not only for promoting healthy smiles but also for safeguarding the overall well-being and quality of life of older adults. To address this concern, we conducted a study to identify the common oral health problems for the elderly attending a tertiary care hospital in Western Tamil Nadu, India.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among 384 elderly adults and senior citizens who attended the Dentistry Outpatient Department (OPD) of a tertiary care center in Coimbatore, Western Tamil Nadu, India. A structured questionnaire was used to collect disease information and demographic data.

Results: When assessed for common oral health conditions, 61.4% had periodontal diseases, 65% had dental caries, 13.8% had oral mucosal lesions, 55.5% had sensitive teeth, 13.3% had dry mouth, and 48.6% had edentulism.

Conclusion: The data presented in the present study explains the significance of various dental conditions among the study population. It reinforces the imperative of providing comprehensive oral healthcare and prioritizing preventive measures. Taking proactive steps to address these dental concerns, including scheduling regular dental check-ups, instilling proper oral hygiene practices, and intervening early when necessary is paramount in fostering ideal oral health and overall well-being among older adults.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Raphael C. Oral Health and aging. Am J Public Health 2017;107(S1):S44-5. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303835, PMID 28661797

Razak PA, Richard KM, Thankachan RP, Hafiz KA, Kumar KN, Sameer KM. Geriatric oral health: A review article. J Int Oral Health 2014;6:110-6. PMID 25628498

Zelig R, Goldstein S, Touger-Decker R, Firestone E, Golden A, Johnson Z, et al. Tooth loss and nutritional status in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JDR Clin Transl Res 2022;7:4-15. doi: 10.1177/2380084420981016, PMID 33345687

Kotronia E, Brown H, Papacosta AO, Lennon LT, Weyant RJ, Whincup PH, et al. Oral health and all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory mortality in older people in the UK and USA. Sci Rep 2021;11:16452. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-95865-z, PMID 34385519

Hajek A, Kretzler B, König HH. Oral health, loneliness and social isolation. A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Nutr Health Aging 2022;26:675-80. doi: 10.1007/s12603-022-1806-8, PMID 35842757

Muhammad T, Srivastava S. Tooth loss and associated self-rated health and psychological and subjective wellbeing among community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study in India. BMC Public Health 2022;22:7. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-12457-2, PMID 34983470

Panchbhai AS. Oral health care needs in the dependant elderly in India. Indian J Palliat Care 2012;18:19-26. doi: 10.4103/0973-1075.97344, PMID 22837606

Janto M, Iurcov R, Daina CM, Neculoiu DC, Venter AC, Badau D, et al. Oral health among elderly, impact on life quality, access of elderly patients to oral health services and methods to improve oral health: A narrative review. J Pers Med 2022;12:372. doi: 10.3390/ jpm12030372, PMID 35330372

Clark D, Kotronia E, Ramsay SE. Frailty, aging, and periodontal disease: Basic biologic considerations. Periodontol 2000 2021;87:143-56. doi: 10.1111/prd.12380, PMID 34463998

Yadav NR, Jain M, Sharma A, Jain V, Singh S, Singh A, et al. Periodontal health of the geriatric population in old-age homes of Delhi, India. J Indian Soc Periodontol 2021;25:427-31. doi: 10.4103/ jisp.jisp_193_20, PMID 34667387

Griffin SO, Jones JA, Brunson D, Griffin PM, Bailey WD. Burden of oral disease among older adults and implications for public health priorities. Am J Public Health 2012;102:411-8. doi: 10.2105/ AJPH.2011.300362, PMID 22390504

Chan AK, Tamrakar M, Jiang CM, Lo EC, Leung KC, Chu CH. A systematic review on caries status of older adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021;18:10662. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182010662, PMID 34682414

Cheruvathoor DD, Thomas V, Kumar NR, Jose M. High prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in elderly: call for revolutionizing geriatric dental care strategies. J Fam Med Prim Care 2020;9:4375-80. doi: 10.4103/ jfmpc.jfmpc_51_20, PMID 33110863

Bozdemir E, Yilmaz HH, Orhan H. Oral mucosal lesions and risk factors in elderly dental patients. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects 2019 Winter;13:24-30. doi: 10.15171/joddd.2019.004, PMID 31217915

Costa RS, Rios FS, Moura MS, Jardim JJ, Maltz M, Haas AN. Prevalence and risk indicators of dentin hypersensitivity in adult and elderly populations from Porto Alegre, Brazil. J Periodontol 2014;85:1247-58. doi: 10.1902/jop.2014.130728, PMID 24527854

Gil-Montoya JA, Silvestre FJ, Barrios R, Silvestre-Rangil J. Treatment of xerostomia and hyposalivation in the elderly: A systematic review. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2016;21:e355-66. doi: 10.4317/ medoral.20969, PMID 27031061

Barbe AG. Medication-induced xerostomia and hyposalivation in the elderly: Culprits, complications, and management. Drugs Aging 2018;35:877-85. doi: 10.1007/s40266-018-0588-5, PMID 30187289

Polzer I, Schimmel M, Müller F, Biffar R. Edentulism as part of the general health problems of elderly adults. Int Dent J 2010;60:143-55. PMID 20684439

Rodrigues SM, Oliveira AC, Vargas AM, Moreira AN, Ferreira EF. Implications of edentulism on quality of life among elderly. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2012;9:100-9. doi: 10.3390/ijerph9010100, PMID 22470281

Reenu Y, Yadhav SK. Dental Disease, and its cure: A review. Asian J Pharm Clin Res 2013;6:16-20.

Nivetha R, Murthykumar K, Ashwin KS, Kumar N, Priyadharshini R. Effects of natural products on oral health: A review. Asian J Pharm Clin Res 2014;7:279-82.