Advances in Gerontology · 2019
Age-related physiological and pathophysiological features of the masticatory apparatus of an adult
By Jordanishvili AK
Based on the evaluation of the condition of the organs and tissues of the masticatory apparatus 275 (69 men and 206 women) people aged 25 to 86 years, including the 74 the elderly and old people suffering from diabetes mellitus type 2, chronic nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease, alcoholism, chronic kidney disease using the methods of electrodontometry, estesiometry, electro-gustometry, assessment thresholds and functional mobility of taste receptors of the tongue, studied age-related physiological and pathophysiological features of the masticatory apparatus. It was found that with age, the thresholds of pain sensitivity of teeth, oral mucosa, tongue and taste sensitivity increase, as well as there is a violation of the functional mobility of taste receptors. The presence in the elderly and old people of psychosomatic pathology, especially type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic alcoholism in older age groups exacerbates the existing age-related changes in pain, taste sensitivity, and also leads to severe violations of the directed reaction of taste receptors. Presented in the article indicators characterizing some age physiological and pathophysiological features of the masticatory apparatus of elderly and old people can be used as a starting point for studying the degree of functional disorders of the masticatory apparatus, as well as to take into account the degree of normalization of impaired functions in the treatment of people of older age groups.