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Abstract

Background: Oral health is important to individuals of all age groups. Oral mucosal lesions and its normal anatomical variations are very common in all age group. The oral mucosa performs essential protective functions that plays an important role in the general health status of an individual. Any decline in the protective functions of the oral mucosa could expose the aging individual to a variety of pathogens and chemicals. During aging, oral epithelium becomes thinner and collagen synthesis also decreases, which leads to decreased tissue regeneration and disease resistance. The oral mucosa becomes permeable to toxic substances and more vulnerable to external carcinogens. Objectives: To study the clinical pattern and the types of oral mucosal lesions in geriatric population. To study the distribution and possible etiological factors of oral mucosal lesions in geriatric population.