AJPH
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

AJPH First Look, published online ahead of print May 29, 2008
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
AJPH.2007.129429v1
98/7/1177    most recent
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Purchase Article
Right arrow View Shopping Cart
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kelsey, J. L.
Right arrow Articles by Lamster, I. B.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Kelsey, J. L.
Right arrow Articles by Lamster, I. B.
Related Collections
Right arrow Aging
Right arrow Dental/Oral Health
Right arrow Disability
Right arrow Prevention
July 2008, Vol 98, No. 7 | American Journal of Public Health 1177-1183
© 2008 American Public Health Association
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2007.129429

HEALTH POLICY AND ETHICS

Influence of Musculoskeletal Conditions on Oral Health Among Older Adults

Jennifer L. Kelsey, PhD and Ira B. Lamster, DDS, MMSc

Jennifer L. Kelsey is with the Departments of Medicine and Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester. Ira B. Lamster is with the School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY.

Correspondence: Correspondence should be sent to Jennifer L. Kelsey, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, 55 Lake Ave North, Shaw Building, Worcester, MA 01655 (e-mail: jennykelsey{at}comcast.net or ibl1{at}columbia.edu).

Both musculoskeletal disorders and diseases of the oral cavity are common and potentially serious problems among older persons, yet little attention has been given to the links between them. Several musculoskeletal diseases, including osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and arthritic disorders, may directly involve the oral cavity and contiguous structures.

Drugs used to treat musculoskeletal diseases, including corticosteroids and bisphosphonates, increase the risk of suppression of the immune system and osteonecrosis of the jaw, respectively.

Many people with disabling osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions have difficulty practicing good oral hygiene and traveling to dental offices for professional help. Various inexpensive measures can help such individuals, including education of their caregivers and provision of antimicrobial mouthwashes and special toothbrushes.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2008 by the American Public Health Association