Oral health is important throughout all stages of our lives. As we age and our bodies begin to change, however, is when it becomes of the utmost importance to keep up with your oral healthcare. When you enter your golden years, you’re much more likely to be making visits with your local oral surgeon than you would have as a young adult. The changes that happen in old age leaves our mouth susceptible to a host of problems like gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and more. Here’s what to watch out for—and what you can do about it.
Gum Disease
Gum disease, which is commonly referred to as periodontal disease by oral healthcare professionals, is an infection of the mouth caused by bacteria. It progresses in stages and can ultimately lead to tooth loss, gum recession, as well as other symptoms. It begins with gingivitis, which causes inflammation and irritation of the gums as bacteria begins to settle in. Left untreated, it progresses into periodontal disease and leads to bone and ligament damage in the mouth.
Left untreated, you’ll undoubtedly be scheduling appointments for tooth replacement operations, gum grafting procedures done by experienced oral surgeons, and possibly even dental bone grafting depending on how the disease progresses. It’s not fun, and seniors are particularly susceptible to it.
What makes the elderly prone to gum disease? There are a handful of factors that play a role:
- Poor oral hygiene – not taking care of your teeth leads to plaque buildup that harbors bacteria.
- Medications – As we age, we’re more likely to be put on medication. Certain medication causes dry mouth, which decreases saliva production. Without saliva, we’re more susceptible to bacteria.
- Chronic health conditions – chronic conditions affecting seniors like diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease can weaken the immune system and leave our mouths wide open to infection.
- Gum recession due to age – Our gumline recedes as we age, making it easier for bacteria to hang in our mouths.
- Ill-fitting dentures – Dentures that don’t fit well in your mouth or dentures that aren’t cleaned correctly can harm the gums, leading to bacteria growth.
Gum disease, when caught early, is easy to treat. Making regular checkup appointments with your dentist and practicing good oral hygiene is the best defense against gum disease. Managing chronic conditions and consuming a healthy diet full of essential nutrients also do wonders to keep periodontal disease at bay. Any professional mouth reconstruction surgeon can tell you horror stories of advanced cases—don’t let it be you.
Tooth Decay
Seniors are also disproportionately affected by tooth decay. Senior tooth implants are becoming more and more commonplace because of this. Seniors are more likely to experience tooth decay due to a number of factors, including gum recession, dry mouth, reduced dental care, and diets high in sugar or drinks. Advanced cases of tooth decay might require a dental surgeon who specializes in tooth replacements if a root canal can’t save the tooth. Top-notch dental implants for seniors restore tooth and mouth function in the event of extraction and last for decades with proper care and upkeep.
When it’s caught early enough, tooth decay is treated the same as any regular cavity. Once the decay is removed, a dentist uses a composite filling to restore function and the aesthetics of the tooth. The best way to prevent tooth decay is to practice good oral hygiene. This involves brushing at least twice a day along with flossing correctly at least once a day. Brushing and flossing removes the harmful bacteria from hanging around your teeth for too long.
Tooth Loss
Tooth loss happens for a number of reasons. It can be the culmination of either gum disease or tooth decay, or it can due to external causes like injury. Even decades-long habits like smoking can catch up to you and contribute to it. Nearly 17% of seniors have no remaining teeth in their mouths. That’s a good number of people who are in need of tooth replacement surgery done by a caring dental professional.
Tooth loss has a profound impact upon those who suffer from it. Missing teeth affect the way and what foods you eat and how someone speaks. Most importantly, it has a negative impact on self-confidence and can leave those who suffer from tooth loss in shambles and disarray. Thankfully, there are plenty of tooth replacement options for seniors with missing teeth.
Dental implants that restore missing teeth are arguably the most popular form of fake teeth replacements for tooth loss. And they last for decades when taken care of well. Scheduling a consultation with a dental surgeon who specializes in restoring missing teeth is the first step in getting high-quality dental implants that last ages. Other options for replacement include dental bridges, and in the case of seniors who are missing a considerable number of teeth, dentures. There are pros and cons to all of the options, but they
Prioritizing oral health is essential at every stage of life, especially as we age and our bodies change. If you’re a senior who hasn’t been to the dentist in a while, consider this your call to action—your oral health is important, and dentists will help.
