Oral mucosal disorders in institutionalized elderly people

The aim of the study was to investigate the type and incidence of oral mucosal disorders in the elderly, any relationship between these disorders and the wearing of dentures, and the associated subjective symptoms of pain. The subjects were 480 residents of 24 municipal old people's homes in different parts of Finland: 153 males and 327 females, age range 65-100 years. The methods used were clinical examination and interview. Clinical examination showed about 60% of the elderly to have one or more oral mucosal disorders. Altogether, 431 pathological conditions were recorded, with changes of the surface of the tongue the most frequent. Hyperplasia and/or denture-related ulcerations and press-points were found in 43% of denture wearers. The interviews revealed that only 17% of those with oral mucosal disorders had symptoms of pain, most frequently caused by press-points and ulcerations. The absence of subjective symptoms emphasizes the importance of frequent oral examinations, especially of the oral mucosa.