THE PROGRESSIVE LOW CHRONIC INFLAMMATION ON ORAL TISSUES IN ELDERLY

Abstract

Aging is a normal process, as inevitable biological
phenomenon. Generally, this process characterized
by a decrease in the ability of resolution,
regeneration, and reparation of cell and tissues, So,
those cells and tissues cannot function properly and
its will grow up and die.(1) WHO reports that the
population of elderly people worldwide increases by
1.7% annually, whereas the population of people
aged ≥ 65 years old increases by 2.5%. WHO
classified the elderly based on their chronologic/
biologic state in 4 groups: (1) the middle age ranged
45-59 years old, (2) the older/elderly age ranged 60-
74 years old, (3) the advanced old age ranged 75-90
years old, and (4) the very old age over 90 years old.
Generally, elders ≥ 65 years old have health
problems as effects of aging process. That means
they need to have a special concern about their
health condition include in dental care.(2,3)
Low, systemic and progressive chronic inflammation
in elderly age is called inflammaging. This condition
can occur as the effects of injury on cells and
tissues.(4,5) There are some factors that cause injury
on cells, such as; hypoxia, chemical materials (toxins,
drugs), physical agents (mechanical trauma,
temperature, sudden changes in atmospheric
pressure, radiation, electrical potency), microbiology
agents (virus, microbes, fungi), immune system
disorder, genetic disorder, or malnutrition. When
the cells got injuries, there are some possibility
reactions on cells and tissues, e.g. retrogressive
reaction, progressive reaction; and adaptation
reaction. The main cause and the response towards
inflammaging that linked to illness are still
unknown.(6)