Dental Care for Geriatric and Special Needs Populations.

This article reviews considerations for oral health care associated with the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in older adults. Many of these diseases result in functional or cognitive impairments that must be considered in treatment planning to ensure appropriate, safe, and effective care for patients. Many of these considerations parallel those of adults who have lived with developmental disabilities over a lifetime and similar principles can be applied. Systemic diseases, conditions, and their treatments can pose significant risks to oral health, which requires prevention, treatment, and advocacy for oral health care as integral to chronic disease management.

Raisins and oral health.

Traditionally, raisins have been thought to promote dental caries due to their suspected "stickiness" and sugar content. Current research identifies some evidence contrary to traditional thought, suggesting that raisins may not contribute to dental caries. This article reviews new findings with regards to raisins and the 3 conditions that are thought to contribute to the formation of dental caries; low oral pH, adherence of food to teeth, and biofilm (bacterial) behavior. The studies reviewed concluded that raisin: consumption alone does not drop oral pH below the threshold that contributes to enamel dissolution, do not remain on the teeth longer than other foods, and contain a variety of antioxidants that inhibit Streptococcus Mutans, bacteria that is a primary cause of dental caries. Further research in this area should be considered.