HOW SEVERE IS THE THREAT OF CARIES TO OLD TEETH

Caries is a bacterial infection caused by a complex interaction of bio logic and behavioral factors. It is believed that caries is a major th reat to teeth in old age, yet little information is available on the i ncidence and progress of carious lesions in elderly teeth. All too oft en caries is diagnosed after a visual and tactile examination of tooth structure without thought for the other factors essential to the init iation and support of an active lesion. Prospective studies have been conducted recently in Vancouver to quantify associations between the i ncidence of caries and many of the behavioral, bacteriologic, and phys iologic factors potentially influencing oral health in old age. The re sults indicate that improvements in hygiene may hold the most promise for controlling this infection in an elderly population.