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Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

February 25- March 3, 201318 Perio Tribune United Kingdom Edition Curasept ADS 0.2% CHX Conventional chlorhexidine mouthwashes lead to discolouration. Curasept, with it’s patented Anti Discolouration System (A.D.S.), is proven* to prevent almost all yellow-brown discolouration of the tongue and teeth without altering the anti-plaque and antibacterial action of Chlorhexidine. Alcohol free Does not alter taste perception Increases patient compliance *Compare the studies at www.curaprox.com with A.D.SAnti Discolouration System Follow us on Facebook Special promotions available through your dental wholesaler Curaprox_Curaspet_A4P_TR_019_12.indd 1 05/09/2012 15:14 A ccording to Govern- ment statistics, there are 10 million people in the UK who are over 65 years old and this figure is anticipat- ed to almost double by 2050. Added to this, life expectancy continues to increase; a baby born nowadays might expect to live to 91 or 92 years of age. However, healthy life expec- tancy is not keeping up with our ageing population, the Government claims, because of older residents’ proportion- ally greater demands on pub- lic services. These demographic trends highlight the need for dental professionals to focus their attention on the maintenance or improvement of our old- er generations’ oral health. For elderly patients, ageing itself is an additional factor contributing towards poor oral health, as is systemic disease, weakened immunity and infirmity; the latter of which may contribute towards an inadequate oral hygiene routine. Oral and dental disorders have a particularly signifi- cant impact on patients who are more advanced in years. Whether they are denture wearers, have partial tooth loss or still retain all of their own teeth, for the elderly, a healthy mouth is crucial to their quality of life. With few other distractions, the ability to communicate for social acceptance and inter- action, along with enjoyment of food are essential to achieve psychological wellbeing. And of course being able to eat a variety of meals and ingredients increases the likelihood of taking in the right nutrients for optimum overall health. A lack of oral hygiene, leading to infection, disease and/or pain, has severe re- percussions in terms of an older individual’s confidence, dignity and nutritional needs. Unsightly inflammation, bleeding, missing teeth, or sores leading to ill-fitting den- tures will knock self-esteem and encourage avoidance of others to prevent risk of em- barrassment. But this self-im- posed isolation brings a great deal of unhappiness in itself. Evidence also suggests a con- nection between substandard oral health and serious dis- orders such as pneumonia in older patients, with those who are hospitalised or in care homes made especially vul- nerable. In addition, older patients are at high risk of suffer- ing from xerostomia, or dry mouth, which seriously en- hances the risk of dental dis- ease. As the population ages, they are increasingly likely to be receiving prescription drugs for age-related condi- tions and, unfortunately, dry Oral health in old age: Mouth- wash as an adjunct for the elderly Howard Thomas discusses the importance of oral hygiene in the elderly