Importance de l'hygiène buccodentaire en gériatrie

Risk factors of poor oral health in elderly are salivary dysfunction, polymedication, swallowing troubles, dietary problems, functional dependence, oral hygiene care assistance and insufficient dental care use. Relationship between malnutrition, cardiovascular diseases, multiple infections, diabetes, quality of life and poor oral health have been described. This paper presents a review of literature on oral health in the elderly, including evidence for: 1-prevalence and increments of oral diseases with aging; 2- use of assessment tool to evaluate resident's oral health; 3- preventive oral hygiene care strategies and provision of oral diseases treatment; and 4- improve staff education programs. More attention should be focused on oral-dental status of old patients.