The purpose of this study was to compare the presence of difficulties self-reported of chewing and swallowing by active elderly with a group of university adults. In this analytical study of transversal cohort 186 subjects divided into two groups: 93 active elderly from community center for health and leisure activities for people over 60 years old and 93 university adults. The age of the elderly was 63 to 93 years old (mean 72.3) and adults 17 to 45 years old (mean 24.8). Respondents selected by screening answered questions regarding their dental conditions, use of prosthetic implants and difficulties in chewing and swallowing in varying consistencies. The mean of teeth present among adults was 30.6 against 8.7 of the elderly. In the elderly group, there was edentulism in 28% of respondents. None of them refers to the presence of all teeth. Already in the adult group, edentulism has not been reported and nearly 40% of them reported the presence of all teeth. Thirty-one point two percent for the elderly reported difficulties chewing against 1.1% of adults. Swallowing difficulties were statistically prevalent in the elderly group: 21.5% thin liquid, 4.3% viscous liquid and 16.1% dual consistencies against adults group; 39.8% solids and 34.4% saliva compared to 1.1% of adults and 40.8% pills versus 9.7% of adults group. These results support the idea that prevention programs, early detection and warning of nutrition and physical consequences of the problems swallowing should be implanted in institutions whose focus is serving the active elderly.