The debate about the links between oral and general health is not new. Indeed, it is over a century since the theory of focal sepsis linked oral sepsis and tooth extractions with endocarditis. More recently, a growing body of literature has linked oral and general health; dental caries has been associated with growth and development among children, while tooth loss and periodontal (gum) disease have been linked with different conditions among middle-aged and older adults. With the demographic transition towards an ageing society, promoting “healthy ageing” has become a key priority for policy makers and health professionals. This implies optimising opportunities for good health and functioning, so that older people can remain independent, take an active part in society and enjoy good quality of life. The role of oral health in healthy ageing is essential, with adults now keeping their natural teeth into old age and having increased treatment needs.
This presentation reviews the epidemiological evidence on the burden of oral diseases on older adults and focuses on the associations between oral conditions and general health. The importance of maintaining good oral health and a functional dentition into older ages is highlighted in terms of general health, physical and cognitive function, dementia and well-being. Oral diseases share common risk factors with most chronic (non-communicable) diseases and this creates considerable opportunities for interventions and policies to promote healthy ageing. Public health interventions focusing on the broader social determinants of health across the life course present the way forward.
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