Root Caries - A Problem of Growing Age

Root caries is now considered a major dental public health problem for the middle aged and elderly. Root caries is related to a subject's dental health behaviour, normally constant, this association produces a greater effect among older people. The older a person is, the longer he/she has been exposed to risk factors, and the greater their outcomes have been. The aetiology of root caries is multifactorial of which microbiological factor plays a critical role. The elderly are usually more vulnerable to root caries because of several medical conditions. Many older patients use medications that reduce salivary flow and cause them to have dry mouth. Root caries can be diagnosed by a dentist during regular dental examination. Treatment of root caries generally requires the placement of a restoration or crown. A number of studies have been conducted on the prevalence and factors associated with root caries, yet our knowledge of this disease process remain limited. The fact that too little is known about this disease in the face of an increasing proportion of the population at risk, should provide the stimulus for further research and development related to the recognition, etiology, treatment and prevention of root caries.

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