People are living longer than ever before in the history of mankind. This increased longevity has been related to excellent preventive and therapeutic medical care, public education about health, improved diet, exercise, and a reduction in smoking and alcohol consumption. Many people are living into their eighties and nineties with good health and with the ability to live their lives in a near normal manner (Fig. 9.1). But, just as 60,000 miles on your automobile tires significantly wears them, 80 years of life takes its toll on your mouth. What challenges can you expect in your oral condition as you pass into the mature years of life? This chapter describes and demonstrates numerous oral conditions of the mature person. You may not have all of these conditions, but you will have some of them.

FIG. 9.1 In past generations, people died at much younger ages than they do today. With an average longevity of approximately 80 years of age, it is not uncommon to see people in their eighties who are living normal, productive, and independent lives. However, their oral problems can be challenging.