New from PubMed:

Musculoskeletal disorders are a common malady in older patients, and are often linked to oral health problems. This association comes in part from conditions such as osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and arthritic disorders that directly involve the oral cavity or contiguous areas. Also, drugs commonly used to treat musculoskeletal disorders, such as bisphosphonates and corticosteroids, can increase risk of immune system suppression and osteonecrosis of the jaw. Patients with disabling rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis may have difficulty practicing sufficient oral hygiene at home. Simple and inexpensive measures can be implemented to help prevent disintegration of oral health in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Such measures include education of patients’ caregivers on the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene, as well as the distribution to patients of antimicrobial mouthwashes and special toothbrushes designed for arthritic hands.

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