The relationship between nutrition and systemic and oral well-being in older people.

BACKGROUND

Diet plays a key role in disease prevention in older age. The aims of this report were to review the causes and consequences of a poor diet in later life and its interrelationship with oral health.

CONCLUSIONS

Energy requirements decrease with age; however, many factors, including poor oral health, loss of appetite and illness, may compromise energy intake. Absorptive capacity may reduce with age; therefore, to prevent deficiencies of micronutrients, a nutrient-dense diet is essential.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The first signs of micronutrient deficiencies often are manifest in the oral tissues. Consequently, the dentist has an important role in the early diagnosis of malnutrition. Furthermore, optimizing oral health is important in maximizing older patients' functional capacity to consume a healthful and varied diet.