The Risk Factors and Interventions of Dental Caries in the Elderly: A Narrative Review

Authors

  • Eleena Mohd Yusof Faculty of Dentistry Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Ikmal Hisham Ismail Faculty of Dentistry Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Aini Hayati Abdul Rahim Faculty of Dentistry Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Noorharliana Mohamed Zohdi Faculty of Dentistry Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Mustaffa Jaapar Oral Health Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Level 5, Block E10, Kompleks E, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62590 Putrajaya, Malaysia
  • Rohana Ahmad Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE), Level 7, FF3 Building, UiTM Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/cos.v10i2.23570

Keywords:

dental caries, root caries, aged, risk factors

Abstract

As the human lifespan increases, older adults are known to retain their teeth for longer. Dental clinicians will see an increase in the number of elderly patients as the population’s life expectancy rises. The loss of periodontal attachment is a common risk factor for root surface caries development in older adults. Other risk factors include an increase in the number of missing teeth and restorations, prosthesis wearing, reduced manual dexterity, a shift in diet from complex to simple sugars, salivary gland dysfunction and increased salivary glucose levels. Dental caries is one of the causes leading to tooth loss in older adults and tooth loss significantly impacts the oral health-related quality of life for this vulnerable age group. Furthermore, the treatment of root caries is complicated by the adhesion of restorative materials to dentin and cemental layer. To curb these issues, understanding the risk factors for dental caries in the elderly, as well as its prevention and treatment strategies, is therefore crucial. This narrative review aims to provide an understanding of dental caries in older adults and an evidence-based prevention and management of this dental disease.

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Published

2023-09-01

How to Cite

Mohd Yusof, E., Ismail, I. H., Abdul Rahim, A. H., Mohamed Zohdi, N., Jaapar, M., & Ahmad, R. (2023). The Risk Factors and Interventions of Dental Caries in the Elderly: A Narrative Review. Compendium of Oral Science, 10(2), 9–22. https://doi.org/10.24191/cos.v10i2.23570

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2023): Compendium of Oral Science

Section

Review Article

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