Prevention

Need for periodic evaluation

Even in the absence of symptoms, periodic evaluation is recommended for persons of all ages, and especially for the elderly. Older adults often have difficulty with oral care due to diminished manual dexterity, decreased visual acuity, loss of cognitive function, or limitations in mobility. Did you know? A complete oral exam of all tissues should be performed at least once per year even if no teeth are present. In general, conditions in the mouth have a tendency to deteriorate unless a sustained effort is made to prevent problems. Some of the most common dental problems are asymptomatic in the early stages which is, of course, the best time to treat them. Incipient and small carious lesions of the teeth, as well as the early stages of peridontal disease are usually painless and not detected by the patient. Some lesions require radiographic evaluation and are not detectable clinically.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Many older adults have chronic conditions that affect their oral health and oral treatment. Invasive dental procedures can increase their risk for systemic infections, such as subacute bacterial endocarditis in those individuals who have underlying heart valve damage (Dajani et al, 1997). Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for individuals with the chronic conditions listed in the table below.

Conditions for which Antibiotic Prophlaxis is Recommended: