[Epidemiology of various oral-dental problems in aging patients]

Abstract

Demographic projections show an important increase of the elderly population. The percentage of complete edentulous elderly patients is decreasing but their total number will remain constant. The prevalence of caries (essentially root caries) and of periodontal disease is, actually, very important. The increase of remaining teeth in the aging population, is a risk for a higher prevalence of these problems. It's time to become aware of this situation and to develop prevention and adapted treatments for this population.