The effect of age on the development of gingivitis
This study's aim was to assess the possible differences in the young versus old in terms of gingivitis and the possible clinical causes for this effect. Ten patients, five young dental students (20-25 years of age) and five older individuals from a comprehensive dental care unit (65-80 years of age), were utilized. Microbial and tissue sampling was obtained initially and at 21 days postabstinence from oral hygiene.
No obvious differences between the groups could be detected in terms of the microbiota and the plaque accumulation. Differences were noted, however, in terms of gingivitis and histologic findings. The older group had more plasma cells and more clinical evidence of marginal gingivitis.
It must be remembered that the young start off with more vascularity and less lymphocytic infiltrates than the older group, so even from the beginning, a difference in histologic findings is evident. These noted histologic changes show up at day 21 of oral hygiene abstinence also, explaining the increase in gingivitis in the older group. [D.H.]
Fransson, C.,T. Berglundh, and J. Lindhe, J Clin Periodont, 23:379, 1996