Older adults usually need more dental care than younger people. The most common age-related dental disease is tooth loss. As the supporting bone thins, teeth can experience gum recession and sensitivity to temperature changes.
Plaque and tartar buildup can lead to decay, health problems, and other tooth damage. Preventive care is essential for older adults with dentures, bridges, or crowns because they often don't realize that a problem has developed below the gumline until it is too late.
Advancing age brings many seniors at risk for a range of oral health concerns, such as:
Darkened teeth: With age, our teeth can become more sensitive to temperature, which leads to discoloration. With age, our teeth can become more sensitive to temperature, which leads to discoloration.
Sensitivity: Our gums and dentures cause sensitivity as they shrink, pulling away from the tooth's root surfaces. This is called recession and can cause pain when eating or drinking hot and cold foods.
Dry mouth: When the salivary flow slows down with age, it may result in dry mouth (xerostomia).
Difficulty chewing and swallowing: Difficulty swallowing can result from dental trauma, arthritis or other joint conditions, or changes in muscle tone.
Problems with chronic disease: Mouth sores, bacteria sensitivity, and inflammation related to periodontal disease caused poor oral health status.
Nervous system issues: Damage to the peripheral nerves may cause sensitivity to cold or heat.
A diminished sense of taste: Older persons may have diminished taste perception, which could affect their eating habits.
Root decay: When teeth are missing, the roots can decay, leading to infection in the jawbone and sometimes tooth loss.
Tooth loss: With time, teeth can loosen, crack and fall out.
Calluses: "Calluses" form when bacteria on the tooth root surface interact with the shrinking gums. They may cause pain, sensitivity, and irritation.
Oral Hygiene Tips for Seniors
Older adults usually need more dental care than younger people. The most common age-related dental disease is tooth loss.
As the supporting bone thins, teeth can experience gum recession and sensitivity to temperature changes. Plaque and tartar buildup can lead to decay, health problems, and other tooth damage.
Some of the most important things you can do to take care of your gums include:
Brushing vigorously with a soft-bristled brush for about two minutes, twice a day.
Six times a day, scrape your tongue with a dental scraper.
Floss daily if you have any teeth left in the front.
It is important to floss between teeth below the gum line, where food particles can hide and lead to infection.
Cleaning between the teeth that are no longer there but were previously supported by adjacent teeth. This is done with a special long-handled tool or soft interdental brushes. You may need to use such equipment for the rest of your life.
Visit dentists Mckinney TX, regularly.
Brushing, flossing, scraping your tongue, and seeing your dentist yearly is the best way to prevent gum disease.
How To Prevent Gum Disease And Tooth Decay?
Gum disease can become a severe problem if not detected and treated in time. Usually, the first symptoms of gum disease are bleeding and painful or swollen gums.
Many people are unaware of them because they tend to take care of their teeth less frequently as they get older. However, this is the best time to start taking care of your teeth, especially if you want to prevent further damage.
Dental hygiene is essential for everyone, especially seniors whose risk factors include aging or health problems that interfere with good oral hygiene techniques. Seniors who wear dentures face an increased risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
If you have any questions about the care of your teeth regarding your age, your doctor should be able to help. Your doctor may also refer you to a dental hygienist with the training and special skills needed to handle gum disease, periodontal disease, and other oral conditions.
Dental Implants for Older People
Dental implants are dental replacement that mimics the appearance of natural teeth and function similarly to those lost by disease or trauma. They are placed in your jawbone using a surgical procedure called bone grafting. Implants replace the missing tooth root and can last for the rest of your life.
Older people with moderately complex needs are often treated with implants before tooth loss and with dentures or bridges after the loss of natural teeth. Implants allow the person to control their oral health in a way that best suits their lifestyle and individual needs.
A dental implant is a titanium post placed into the jawbone using a surgical procedure called bone grafting, which involves surgically removing bone from another area of your body and placing it under your skin.
The bone serves as the attachment site for the implant, which replaces the missing tooth root and can last for life. Implants support remaining teeth, prevent further tooth loss, and enable you to eat virtually anything most people do without difficulty.
Older people can go for All on 4 implants as they are permanently fixed into the mouth. This is a good option for those who wish to replace one or more missing teeth with their natural look. The dental implants are set inside the mouth and connected to the artificial teeth.
Wrap Up!
Tooth loss can be harrowing and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in older people. It is essential for older people to know the symptoms of these conditions, so they take precautions and take care of their teeth and gums as much as possible.
Regular dental checkups and cleaning will help you keep your teeth healthy and strong.