Aging-related changes and lesions of the oral mucosa: a narrative review

Abstract

Aging leads to a series of physiological changes in the oral cavity. During this stage of life, the oral mucosa presents a greater predisposition to atrophy, reduced immune response, and decreased mechanical resistance. These alterations, associated with immunosenescence, increase the susceptibility of older adults to oral lesions, especially when associated with reduced salivary flow, prolonged use of removable dentures, chronic diseases, poor hygiene, and loss of autonomy. This narrative review aims to present and describe the main alterations of the oral mucosa observed in the elderly population, systematizing recent literature findings. Articles published between 2001 and 2025 were searched in the PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases. The findings demonstrate that recognizing these alterations is essential for early diagnosis and for promoting oral health in the aging population, which currently have a longer life expectancy and represent a growing portion of the population.  The most prevalent lesions include candidiasis, denture stomatitis, angular cheilitis, and inflammatory hyperplasia. This scenario highlights that the integrity and condition of the oral mucosa in older adults are indicators of systemic health, frailty, and self-care capacity, reinforcing that dental practice should be guided by preventive actions and health education strategies.

Keywords: Oral mucosa. Aging. Elderly. Oral lesions.