A 75 year woman comes to the office have a concern of dental caries, she states that has a dry mouth and difficulty chewing food. She has no joint pain or eye dryness. On examination, there is decreased saliva production but no tenderness or swelling of the salivary glands. Extensive dental caries are present. Which of the following age-related changes is most likely responsible for this patient's symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: There are many age-related changes which include decreased saliva production, oral mucosal atrophy; weakening of the muscles of mastication, tongue muscles, and pharyngeal constrictors; and a decreased sense of taste and smell.
Acinar atrophy and fatty infiltration of the salivary glands will result in decrease saliva production. and this leads to dysphagia, malnutrition, and pneumonia.

A 75 Year Woman Comes to the Office Have a Concern