A clinical survey of oral soft tissue lesions in institutionalized geriatric patients in Israel.

A clinical survey of oral soft tissue lesions in 298 geriatric patients in Israel was conducted. White lesions were found in 9.5% of smokers and 2.19% of non-smokers. Varicosities increased from 11.1% to 41.1% between ages 50-99 years. Pigmentation, hairy tongue, and papillary atrophy of the tongue all increased with age. Hairy tongue was found in 12.8% of men and 4.5% of women.