Common oral health problems in older adults Flashcards
common oral disorders in older adults
- root caries
- tooth loss
- xerostomia
risk factors associated with development of root caries
- gingival recession
- dental pulpal stenosis
- cariogenic foods
- salivary gland dysfunction
- relatively poor oral hygiene
- suboptimal cervical restorations
- removable partial dentures
- intraoral sensory impairment
how many adults aged 55 years and over have lost all their natural teeth?
one in five
T/F: rates of total tooth loss nearly DOUBLED between ages 55-64 and 65-74 years
true
T/F: rates of total tooth loss is more than 40% among adults 85 years and over
true
causes of tooth loss in older adult
dental caries > perio disease > pre-prosthetic > fractures
a study found that the major reason for tooth extraction was dental caries and it was found in what percent of all cases?
60%
what percent of tooth extraction in the oldest age group is due to dental caries?
77%
causes of increase in late-life tooth loss
- medical conditions encourage extraction vs complex treatments
- changing policies in the provision of dental care by 3rd parties
- personal economic advantages
- facilities daily oral care by care-givers
what age is considered young old?
65-69 and 70-75
what age is considered old?
76-80 and 80-84
what age is considered oldest old?
85+
T/F: there is no age-associated diminution of parotid gland fluid output for either the unstimulated or stimulated states
true
T/F: parotid fluid rates show constant “normal” variability, but this remains constant across life span
true
T/F: the responsiveness of parotid gland to physiologic challenge DECREASES with increased age
false, unchanged
main groups of medications that may give rise to xerostomia
- anticonvulsants
- antidepressants
- antihistamines
- anticholinergics
- diuretics
- hypotensives
- muscle relaxants
- narcotics
- hypnotics
- minor/major tanquilizers
- sympathomimetics
urinary antispasmodics
- hyscyamine (Cystospaz)
- oxybutynin (Ditropan)
- flavoxate (Urispas)
- atropine/hyoscyamine (Urised)
dementia
loss of ability to think and remember of sufficient degree in order to interfere with social functioning and activities of daily living
T/F: dementia causes impairment of at least 2 brain functions such as memory loss and judgment
true
according the to NIH, what occurs in about 45% of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other dementias?
swallowing problems (dyspagia)
prevalence of dementia in older adults age 65-74 is what percent?
2%
prevalence of dementia in older adults age 75-84 is what percent?
30%
prevalence of dementia in older adults age 85+ is what percent?
50%
Alzheimer’s disease
a PROGRESSIVE neurodegrenerative disorder that is characterized by the RELENTLESS DECLINE of cognitive fxn, judgement, perception and personality, and ultimately the LOSS OF THE DISTINCTIVE AND SHARED QUALITIES that define an individual’s existence
when is onset of symptoms until death of patients with Alzheimer’s disease?
3-20 years, average 8 years
what percent of all nursing home patients in US have Alzheimer’s disease?
50%
T/F: no treatment has been proven totally successful in reversing course of Alzheimer’s disease
true
symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
- recent memory loss that affects job performance
- difficulty performing familiar tasks
- problems with language
- disorientation of time and place
- poor or decreased judgement
- problems with abstract thinking
- misplacing things
- changes in mood or behavior
- changes in personality
- loss of initiative
a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is only possible with what?
brain biopsy or an autopsy
what are the 2 most common causes of death in patients with Alzheimer’s disease?
- bronchopneumonia or aspiration pneumonia (38.4%)
- ischemic heart disease (23.1%)
- neoplastic diseases (3.8%)
common cause of death in general population of same-aged elderly (non-demented)
- ischemic heart disease (22%)
- neoplasms (21.3%)
- bronchopnemonia (2.8%)
common cause of death in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementias?
- bronchopneumonia
2. circulatory diseases
T/F: knowledge about what actually causes death is of value in the terminal care of patients with dementia disorders
true
T/F: numerous studies have found that pathogens responsible for aspiration pneumonia were colonized in the dental plaque or oropharynx of patients
true
clinical issues when caring for the patient with dementia
- cooperation during appointments
- meds that alter oral environment
- providing informed consent
- dietary habits
- post-operative care
- home care
phase 1 of patients with Alzheimer’s disease are disoriented to what?
disoriented to time
patients in phase 1 Alzheimer’s disease
- still able to perform self care
- still able to adapt to new removable prostheses
- introduce family or friend in oral health care
phase 2 of patients with Alzheimer’s disease are disoriented to what?
disoriented to time and place
patients in phase 2 Alzheimer’s disease
- engage family or friend in oral health care
- power driven toothbrushes of high value
- use antimicrobial agents
- remove posterior teeth with questionable prognosis
phase 3 of patients with Alzheimer’s disease are disoriented to what?
disoriented to time, place and person
patients in phase 3 Alzheimer’s disease
- remove symptomatic teeth
- meds induced xerostomia prevalent
- discontinue use of removable prostheses
