With growing older, have you noticed any of the following changes?
Changes that commence with age can have all kinds of impacts on overall and oral health. Sensitive teeth, nutrition challenges, gum disease, alongside diabetes are only some of the conditions that might put grown-ups’ health at risk. Data from research has shown that there are certain medical conditions that have a higher chance of happening with poor oral health such as stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
For example, these can impact what you choose to consume or how much you enjoy some foods. In the event that you have issues when swallowing or chewing, you might start to cease from certain foods and change the places and times you eat, and of course, some of these changes affect, negatively, the quality of life.
As we get older, the tongue loses some of its working proper capability. Some of us might find it difficult to chew and move the food around the mouth. This can cause the swallowing of the food prior to it being chewed fully, and lead to digestion problems.
The following are the top five most common dental health issues most seniors have to face:
Typically, inflammation is the cause of gum disease in the elderly. Gum disease, referred to as periodontitis in the medical field, is an infection that harms the tissue around the gums. Periodontitis is related to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It can additionally lead to bone loss.
Gum recession is extremely common in seniors. Gum recession, also known as gingival recession is a dental condition that reveals the tooth’s root. Seeing as the root is ten times more vulnerable to breakdown from the acidic foods and drinks the teeth are swiftly harmed.
Inflammation can lead to premature tooth loss, necessitating dentures as a teeth replacement form for seniors. An implant can be supportive of the denture, without the dental implant, the denture can often be loose, making it very hard to chew, which can then interfere with aesthetics and speech. Yet, many aged patients start having issues with crowns that they received years ago on top of their own tooth or an implant.
The elderly population, meaning those above the age of 65, make up most of the world’s population, yet they use the least prescription drugs. People aged between 65 to 69 fill an average of 14 prescriptions per year, while those between 80 and 84 years old, average 18 prescriptions per year, all for medical conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease.
Among the most common side effects of any medication really, is dry mouth. Dry mouth means a decrease in the salivary flow. Normally, the saliva acts as a cushion that shields the tooth and offers physical cleansing on it.
The salivary flow decrement leads to cavities and tooth decay, particularly on the unmasked root surface and it undoubtedly becomes painful and uncomfortable. Ultimately, we should also mention that aging gums and teeth are more vulnerable to teeth structural breakdown and fractures.
Tooth decay isn’t really just an issue for young adults and children- it can occur at any time in your life. As a matter of fact, with growing older, we enter a second phase of cavity-prone years. Dental plaque, or simply said, bacteria buildup, is an issue for real and fake teeth (like implants or dentures). Plaque generated acids, which, over the course of time, eat away at the tooth’s hard outer surface and form a cavity. Even filled teeth are at a high risk. Plaque can build up under a chipped filling and lead to a new decay.
Among the reasons why the chances of tooth decay increase with age is a dental condition named dry mouth- a very common side effect of several prescription medications taken more usually later in life. Dry mouth is a cause of the lack of saliva in the mouth. Without a good amount of saliva, eating, chewing, swallowing and even talking can be hard. A dry mouth raises the risk for tooth decay since it is saliva that aids in maintaining the harmful germs that cause tooth decay and other oral infections, in check. Saliva also has as components, minerals, such as phosphate or calcium, which help reverse the early decay. Plus, if you wear dentures, dry mouth can make them quite uncomfortable and they might not fit properly. Without enough saliva, dentures can additionally rub against the gums and lead to sore spots.
The bacteria that leads to tooth decay can stick to dentures as well, so routine care for the denture is just as fundamental as with real teeth. If you have dentures, keep in mind to clean them on a daily basis using cleaners that are made specially for dentures. Do not utilize any kind of toothpaste for natural teeth or household cleaners, that can be too erosive and can harm dentures that can be costly to replace. Remove your dentures and take them out of your mouth for a minimum of four hours every 24 hours to maintain the lining of your mouth healthy. The best solution would be to remove your full or partial dentures during the night. Your dentist will offer you guidelines on how long your dentures should be worn each day.
Studies continuously dig up connections that point out why sustaining good oral health is additionally good for heart health. Such connections are particularly essential to older adults who are at a higher risk of heart disease. Research has shown that periodontal disease raises the risk of heart disease. Periodontal disease can moreover aggravate existing heart conditions. The relation between these medical conditions is associated with inflammation, or swelling of the gums or any other tissue, coming as a result of bacteria present in the mouth and leading to periodontitis (gum disease) or gingivitis, if left untreated.
Data shows that the bacteria discovered in periodontal disease such as Streptococcus sanguis, play a huge role in strokes as well, and can spread all through the body, including the heart. The majority of older adults have gum disease, medically referred to as periodontal disease, caused by the bacteria found in plaque, which irritates the gums, swelling them up. If left untreated, gums can commence pulling away from the teeth and create wide spaces, namely pockets, where food particles and more plaque might accumulate. An advanced periodontal disease can little by little destroy the gums, ligaments, and bone supporting the teeth, entirely, leading to tooth loss.
Tobacco and smoking use of any type raises issues with tooth decay, oral cancer, tooth loss, and gum disease. It also slows down the healing process following dental procedures and can decrease the success of dental implants. Moreover, excessive alcohol use raises the chances of generating oral cancer. And the use of tobacco in addition to alcohol poses a much higher risk than using either substance alone. The possibility of oral cancer rises with aging. The majority of people with these cancers are older than 55 years old when the cancer is discovered.
Catching oral cancer early is of utmost importance seeing as treatment works better prior to the disease spreading. Pain is commonly not an early sign of the disease. Oral cancer screening at routine check-ups is essential, particularly if you drink or smoke. Furthermore, check with the dental practitioner about accessible tobacco cessation programs, over-the-counter medicines, and prescribed medications to help you quit.
Dental health affects the general well-being and health, so it is imperative for every person not to ignore their oral care. Regrettably, the older population experiences a high deficiency in looking for dental care. The absence of proper dental services endangers seniors’ oral and general health. Thus, dental health for seniors is something that needs constant accessibility and promotion.
Gum recession, cavities, gum disease, tooth loss, and tooth decay are all among the most common dental health problems that elderly people around the world have to face.
The most common cause of loose teeth in the elderly that with time can turn into a complete loss of the tooth is the inflammation in the structure around the tooth.
Aging gum and teeth are extremely vulnerable to cavities or decay, which will lead to a variety of health complications for a person. As per Holistic Dentistry and a wide array of studies, there is an association between oral health and dental health. That’s why monitoring and maintaining dental health, particularly for seniors, is of utmost importance.
Regular thorough dental check-ups with a dental practitioner are highly advised for the elderly as they are at a higher risk of generating dental problems and oral cancer. Thus, routine check-ups play a huge role in setting an early diagnosis and treatment of dental problems in adults.
Furthermore, flossing and brushing are the most essential dental hygiene routines for good oral health. Yet, due to decreased dexterity brushing can become quite a hard duty to perform appropriately for some elderly. One alternative for better brushing would be the employment of an electric toothbrush.
City Dental Clinic is among the largest dental care providers. Our team provides extensive dental care at very affordable rates, focused mainly on preventive care for both adults and children and specializes in even the most complicated needs.
