Health maintenance issues of the elderly. Oral health

The risk for the most serious oral disease, oral cancer, increases with age as does the prevalence of other oral soft tissue diseases. Tooth loss is not part of normal aging. As more elderly retain their natural dentition, they are at continued risk for tooth-related diseases such as caries and periodontal disease. Preventive dental programs, including an oral exam as part of the physical examination, will be indicated for adults.