A physician should always examine the mouth and be able to recognize major oral disorders, particularly possible oral cancers. However, consultation with a dentist is needed to evaluate patients with nonmalignant changes as well as tooth problems. Likewise, patients with xerostomia or unexplained swelling or pain in the mouth, face, or neck require a dental consultation.
Children with abnormal facies (who also may have dental malformations requiring correction) should be evaluated by a dentist.
In fever of unknown origin (FUO) or a systemic infection of unknown cause, a dental source of infection should be considered.
A dental consultation is necessary before head and neck radiation therapy and is advisable before chemotherapy to ensure the absence of active oral infection, reduce risk of osteoradionecrosis, and provide anticipatory guidance to manage expected oral side effects.
Common dental disorders, dental emergencies, and other dental and oral symptoms, including toothache, are discussed elsewhere in The Manual. This chapter focuses on:
Geriatric changes that affect oral health
Geriatrics Essentials: The Dental Patient
Resting salivary secretion rarely diminishes significantly solely due to aging. Xerostomia or hyposalivation in the older patient is almost always a side effect of medications, although meal-stimulated salivary flow is usually adequate.
The flattened cusps of worn teeth and weakness of the masticatory muscles may make chewing tiresome, impairing food intake.
Loss of bone mass in the jaws (particularly the alveolar portion), dryness of the mouth, thinning of the oral mucosa, and impaired coordination of lip, cheek, and tongue movements may make denture retention difficult.
The taste buds become less sensitive, so the older patient may add abundant seasonings, particularly salt (which many older adults should restrict because of cardiovascular or renal issues). They may desire very hot foods for more taste, sometimes burning the oral mucosa, which is often atrophic.
Gingival recession and xerostomia contribute to development of root caries.
Despite these changes, improved dental hygiene has greatly decreased the prevalence of tooth loss, and most older adults can expect to retain their teeth.
Poor oral health contributes to poor nutritional intake, which impairs general health. Dental disease (particularly periodontitis) is consistently associated with a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. Evidence suggests that oral bacteria and the chronic inflammation caused by periodontal disease may contribute to vascular inflammation and plaque formation, although a causal relationship has not yet been established (1). Edentulous patients cannot have periodontitis because they do not have a periodontium, although periodontitis may have resulted in their tooth loss. Aspiration pneumonia in patients with periodontitis can involve anaerobic organisms and has a high mortality rate. Severe bacteremias secondary to acute or chronic dental infection may contribute to brain abscesses, cavernous sinus thrombosis, endocarditis, prosthetic joint infections, and unexplained fevers.
Geriatrics essentials reference
1. Tran AH, Zaidi AH, Bolger AF, et al. Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2026;153(6):e73-e88. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001390
