GERIATRIC ORAL DISEASES

*Dr. Pratibha Kondibarao Waghmare and Dr. A. B. Deshmukh

ABSTRACT

An oral cavity is an imperative part of our body, which has a noteworthy role in chewing, swallowing, speech, nutritional status, facial expression as well as self-reliance. Thus, oral health significantly related to the quality of life. Shalakya tantra is a branch of Ayurveda which deals with treatment of organs above shoulders. There are nine openings of physical body and oral cavity is one of them. Older persons are at risk of chronic diseases of the mouth, including dental infections (e.g., caries, periodontitis), tooth loss, benign mucosal lesions, and oral cancer. Other common oral conditions in this population are xerostomia (dry mouth) and oral candidiasis, which may lead to acute pseudomembranous candidiasis (thrush), erythematous lesions (denture stomatitis), or angular cheilitis.

Keywords: Geriatric oral diseases, Jara, Age related oral cavity changes, Talushosha, Dantaveshtaka, Krimidanta.