title: Oral health promotion and prevention for older adults.
abstract: An oral health promotion and prevention program customized to individual needs begins with a thorough assessment of function and risk profile for dental diseases. Toothbrushes and interproximal cleaners can be selected or adapted to meet special needs of older adults. Fluoride use based on caries risk is an important adjunct to any prevention program. Other preventive agents such as chlorhexidine rinses and xylitol gum supplement the program as risk factors increase or when health and disability limit the ability to effectively perform oral hygiene procedures. Oral cancer screening examination is advocated on a regular basis for all older persons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84148, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Erickson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002638:Chewing Gum; D002648:Child; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016321:Dental Care for Aged; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care; D004867:Equipment Design; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006293:Health Promotion; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation; D014993:Xylitol / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D002638:Chewing Gum; D009067:Mouthwashes; D005459:Fluorides; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D014993:Xylitol