title: Ageing, dental caries and periodontal diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the burden of caries and periodontitis in the elderly, changes with age that can explain this burden, and the vulnerability to disease of elderly populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  An assessment of surveys in two populations was conducted. Indicators for caries were identified by updating a systematic review. Secular trends for smoking and type 2 diabetes were discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Changes in the susceptibility to periodontitis with age may be explained by exposure to pro-inflammatory conditions and changes in the healing capacity of cells and tissues. Due to accumulated periodontal destruction, the number of surfaces at risk for caries increases. The sequels of restorative treatment contribute to an increased susceptibility for caries development. Population-based surveys in the United States and Germany demonstrate a high caries experience among elderly people. A comparison of surveys demonstrates a relative improvement of periodontal health among elderly during the last few decades. Nevertheless, prevalence estimates for periodontitis remain high. Risk indicators for root caries include caries experience, the number of surfaces at risk and poor oral hygiene. Secular trends of main risk factors for periodontitis and their likely influence on the future periodontitis burden in the elderly are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caries and periodontitis burden in the elderly remain high.
authors.affiliation: Section of Periodontology, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: López
authors.affiliation: Dentistry Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Patricio C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Göstemeyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schwendicke
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: ageing; dental caries; epidemiology; periodontitis; risk factors; root surfaces; wound healing