노인의 구강건강과 전신질환

Oral Health and Systemic Diseases in the Elderly

Older adults or aged individuals are vulnerable to both oral and general health diseases, which have a close relationship with each other. Oral changes commonly occur with aging (ex. tooth loss, periodontal disease) often cause malnutrition and can result in dentally derived infections, which complicate the management of systemic illnesses. Conversely, systemic diseases and the drugs used for treating them can also have negative effects on oral health conditions. However, health practitioners are often unaware of the importance of oral health care. Since Korea’s national health insurance currently covers denture and implant treatments for elderly patients, which eases the economic burden of the patients, health practitioners should encourage elderly patients to receive regular dental check-ups, both for the prevention and treatment of current oral conditions.