Depressed taste and smell in geriatric patients

Background. Geriatric patients have a number of dental care problems that y ounger patients do not encounter. The oral changes associated with aging ca n have a significant effect on the efficacy of dental treatment. Types of Studies Reviewed, The authors reviewed studies dealing with the ca uses of depressed sense of taste and smell; the causes included aging, dise ase, medications and dental problems. Based on their findings, the authors described the location and anatomy of taste buds and receptor cells for sme ll and explored appetite, saliva, food seasonings, nutrition and dietary re commendations. They also discussed the relationship of smoking and tongue c leaning to taste sensations. Results. The authors found that considerable differences exist between elderly peopl e and young people in regards to sensory perception and pleasantness of foo d flavors. Salt and bitter taste acuity declines with age, but sweet and so ur perceptivity does not. Olfactory acuity also declines with age. The auth ors found that most of the studies reviewed suggested that the sense of sme ll is more impaired by aging compared with the sense of taste. Smoking dimi nishes the taste of food and makes flavorful foods taste flat, while tongue brushing can increase taste sensation for geriatric patients. Clinical Implications. Food can become tasteless and unappetizing for geria tric patients as the result of declining taste and smell perception. Geriat ric patients should be encouraged to add seasonings to their food instead o f relying on excessive consumption of salt and sugar to give their food fla vor. Adequate nutrition, tongue cleaning and smoking cessation are recommen ded for geriatric dental patients.