Review Article

Year : 2021 | Volume : 9 | Issue : 2 | Page : 29 - 32

A Review on Geriatric Oral Health: Nutritional Pattern and Dynamics

Priya Sharma, N. L. Gupta1 , Chetan Sharma2 , Richa Jaswal3

Distt Consultant, National Health Mission, Kangra(HP), National Health Mission, Shimla, 1 Department of Psychology, Eternal University, Baru Sahib, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh, 2 Research Scholar, TISS, Mumbai, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 3 Nursing Officer, PGIMER, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Priya Sharma,

Distt Consultant, Office of Chief Medical Officer, NHM, Kangra, Dharamshala, India.

E‐mail: drpriyasharma2022@gmail.com

Abstract

Health, a prized possession, has always been a target for generations to achieve. Its vital factor nutritionin every form is an expression of genetic heritage that influences the occurrence and severity of degenerative diseases associated with aging. Nutritional problems may result from changes associated with aging process, medical/psychiatric illness, or other medical conditions. The epidemiological literature on oral health in the elderly is varied across countries and regions, more so as a function of institutionalization. This article intends to present importance of the need to care for oral health, concise review of literature on hardships with repercussions in edentulous patients, and how specific nutrients interact with the body to contribute to an individual’s health. The past literature on oral health in elderly was extensively and comprehensibly perused, reviewed, and summarized in terms of descriptions on geriatrics nutrition and changes in diet associated with aging. The search for thorough original and review articles were mainly done from the sites such as Google scholar, PubMed, ResearchGate, etc., on geriatrics nutrition and terms such as genarian, nutrition assessment, edentulism, denture wearing, impact of nutrition, oral and general health, dental sores, and nutritional deficiencies. This review summarized pertinent articles that described the changes in diet associated with edentulism. Most studies suggested that edentulous individuals lack specific nutrients which bring them to risk of various health disorders. Recent research literature highlighted that dental prostheses supported by implants, significantly improve nutritional status in edentulous patients, provided the individual has sound health to undertake procedure for dental prosthesis. Elderly denture wearers are vulnerable to compromised nutritional health due to various factors. Timely and routine evaluation of nutritional status is important for any nutrition or dietary modification. Dietary counseling along with supportive supervision of the family regarding dental health is an integral part of treatment for denture wearers.

Keywords: Complete denture, edentulism, geriatrics, nutrition, nutritional analysis

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to cite this article:

Sharma P, Gupta NL, Sharma C, Jaswal R. A review on geriatric oral health: Nutritional pattern and dynamics. Int J Community Dent 2021;9:29-32.