Assessment of Correlation between Nutrition and Oral Status of Elderly

Abstract

Ideal health is the ultimate goal of mankind throughout all ages. As the age advanced several medical problems and diseases occurs, which have an underlying cause as nutritional aspects and along with that patients socioeconomic status and his dietary habits have a profound influence on their dietary selection. Aim: This research is to summarize the earlier investigations on the association between food intake and dental status in geriatric patients. Study Design: Cross sectional Study by clinical Data Collection. Place and Duration of Study: Six months in RAK College of Dental Sciences outpatient Clinic. Methodology: The information analysis was taken from geriatric patients from RAK outpatient clinic. The sampling methods of the patients are categorized by the gender, and health status, and habits for each gender. The numbers of the patients are approximately 40 patients, 20 male, and 20 female. The patients from both genders are also categorized based on habits, and health issues. A set of questions will be presented as a questionnaire paper to the patients. Results: The results of data collection have shown that the patients regardless of age group and gender showed that majority had cardiovascular and endocrine diseases which lead them to use medications such as galvex, metformin and aspirin which also they eventually changed their diet accordingly, by reducing their sugar and sodium intake. The major significant oral conditions in this study were missing teeth and decayed teeth while minor significance. The major significant oral conditions in this study were missing teeth and decayed teeth while minor significance showed in tooth ache and ulcer in the geriatric population. Increase carbohydrate intake nevertheless decrease in sugar and sodium intake in their diet specifically showed unhealthy diet selection in regards of their limitation in diet selection, which as mentioned earlier choice of diet preference may be because of several factors such as socio economic status and educational factors. Conclusion: The changes in diet of geriatric individuals can strongly influence on the oral health. The oral health status of the geriatric population is generally deficient, with an elevated prevalence of caries, periodontal disease and tooth loss. Hence, a dental professional must be aware of these potential detrimental effects of dental treatment and provide counteractive dietary guidance.