An Update on Drug–Nutrient Interactions and Dental Decay in Older Adults

Abstract

In recent decades, the global demographic landscape has undergone a discernible shift that has been characterised by a progressive increase in the proportion of elderly individuals, indicative of an enduring global inclination toward extended lifespans. The aging process, accompanied by physiological changes and dietary patterns, contributes to detrimental deviations in micronutrient consumption. This vulnerable aging population faces heightened risks, including dental caries, due to structural and functional modifications resulting from insufficient nutritional sustenance. Factors such as physiological changes, inadequate nutrition, and the prevalence of multiple chronic pathologies leading to polypharmacy contribute to the challenge of maintaining an optimal nutritional status. This scenario increases the likelihood of drug interactions, both between medications and with nutrients and the microbiome, triggering complications such as dental decay and other pathologies. Since the drug industry is evolving and new types of food, supplements, and nutrients are being designed, there is a need for further research on the mechanisms by which drugs interfere with certain nutrients that affect homeostasis, exemplified by the prevalence of caries in the mouths of older adults. Infectious diseases, among them dental caries, exert serious impacts on the health and overall quality of life of the elderly demographic. This comprehensive review endeavours to elucidate the intricate interplay among drugs, nutrients, the microbiome, and the oral cavity environment, with the overarching objective of mitigating the potential hazards posed to both the general health and dental well-being of older adults. By scrutinising and optimising these multifaceted interactions, this examination aims to proactively minimise the susceptibility of the elderly population to a spectrum of health-related issues and the consequences associated with dental decay.

A Holistic Approach for Ethics and Sustainability in the Food Chain: The Gateway to Oral and Systemic Health

“…Recent findings underscore the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene and seeking timely treatment for periodontal disease to reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes [306]. Moreover, they emphasize the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between dental and medical professionals to address the bidirectional relationship between oral health and systemic health effectively [307]. Early detection and management of periodontal disease may contribute to improving overall health and reducing the burden of chronic diseases globally, and the prevention of dental caries may increase quality-adjusted life expectancy [306,308,309].…”

Malnutrition in sickle cell anemia: Prevalence, impact, and interventions: A Review

“…The implementation of a nutrition screening tool in the clinical care of individuals with SCD holds promise for improving their overall health outcomes. [ 68 ] Regular screening can lead to early identification of nutritional issues, allowing for timely interventions such as dietary counseling, supplementation, or collaboration with registered dietitians. As research in the field of SCD continues to evolve, future iterations of nutrition screening tools should incorporate advancements in our understanding of the disease and its impact on nutritional status, ensuring that they remain effective in guiding patient care.…”

A Proposal for a Multidisciplinary Integrated Oral Health Network for Patients Undergoing Major Orthopaedic Surgery (IOHN-OS)

“…On the other hand, the use of aluminium-containing antiacids to relieve gastric hyperacidity can significantly increase the urinary and faecal excretion of calcium if not balanced by an adequate dietary intake, as well as phosphorus [ 24 ]. Similar consequences on calcium homeostasis and that of other minerals essential for dental health (e.g., zinc, magnesium, potassium) are elicited by loop diuretics [ 25 ], which are frequently used in disorders of sodium balance. The bone side effects of drugs include sparse facial bone structures and can also lead to consequences that are rare, serious, and definitive, such as the osteonecrosis of the jaw derived from prolonged therapy with antiresorptive bisphosphonates [ 26 ].…”