Why Senior Citizens Should Be More Careful of Their Oral Health | Best Dental Treatment in Whitefield | Sunshine Dental

Best Dental Treatment in Whitefield | Sunshine Dental

 Best Dental Treatment in Whitefield | Sunshine Dental

[Originally Published on Sunshine Dental Blog]

Good oral health is important for everyone regardless of age, but senior citizens are more vulnerable to dental problems because of their advanced age. Hence, they are more likely to be troubled by lost teeth care for dentures, teeth discolouration and periodontal disease, etc. Knowing certain factors regarding oral health issues in elder people can help them get a better understanding of how to identify, address and avoid those problems.

Xerostomia or Dry Mouth

Xerostomia or Dry Mouth | Best Dental Treatment in Whitefield | Sunshine Dental

Our mouths naturally contain a lot of moisture thanks to the saliva. On average, your mouth should produce more than a quart-and-a half of saliva every day. It needs to be of this minimum quantity to help to wash away bacteria, break down the food while chewing and protect against tooth decay and bad breath. People with very dry mouth may face several problems including difficulty in swallowing, infection, tooth cavities, bad breath and other minor or major discomforts.

Roughly ninety per cent of people over the age 65 are on some form of medication and one of their side effects are dry mouth. Hence, xerostomia is more common to this demographic. Other causes of dry mouth include infections, hormonal changes and blocked nasal passages, etc.

Bad Breath

Bad Breath | Best Dental Treatment in Whitefield | Sunshine Dental

Many senior citizens are afflicted with bad breath due to various reasons connected with their oral health. There are underlying causes of bad breath, which has to be identified by a dentist. As discussed above, dry mouth, as well as gum or periodontal
disease, can cause breath to smell foul.

Another leading cause of bad breath is poor dental hygiene. We all brush and floss daily, but it’s important to do it in ways prescribed by dentists. If you wear dentures need to take good care of them; after all, they’re in your mouth. Dentures need to be cleaned more vigorously than teeth. If not cleaned properly, plaque can form on teeth and dentures, which is also a major contributor to bad breath.

Tooth Loss

Tooth Loss | Best Dental Treatment in Whitefield | Sunshine Dental

Falling teeth is a common condition among the elderly. Many elderly people suffer from gum disease or periodontitis, which is caused by bacteria in the plaque. Gum disease is a painless ailment and remains undetected until the disease becomes worse at an advanced age. The bacteria irritate and weaken the gums. If not treated in time, gums begin to loosen the teeth, which eventually fall out.

If you are a senior citizen, please get your gums checked by a periodontist. If you have lost teeth, the specialist may be able to strengthen your gum line save other teeth from falling out. The dentist will also give you options to increase your ability to eat, talk and smile confidently. A good treatment for falling teeth is teeth implants.

Cavities

Cavities | Best Dental Treatment in Whitefield | Sunshine Dental

The primary cause of cavities is dry mouth. Dry mouth is a side effect in more than 500 medicines for common conditions like asthma, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, pain, anxiety, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. This is why it is important to tell your dentist about all the medications you take. The specialist will suggest various remedies to prevent dry mouth, and ultimately cavities. Other causes of cavity formation are poorly cleaned teeth and sugary foods.

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The dentist may also apply a varnish or fluoride gel to keep cavities at bay. There are some things you do yourself to lubricate your mouth. Drink plenty of water. Carry a bottle and don’t wait till you’re thirsty every time to take a sip. Use over-the-counter sprays or mouthwash. Stimulate saliva-production with lozenges or sugar-free gum. You can also get a humidifier to retain moisture in the air.

Poor Denture Care

Poor Denture Care | Best Dental Treatment in Whitefield | Sunshine Dental

Dentures are every bit as delicate as your real teeth, if not more. Hence, they require more attention than regular teeth. They have to be brushed and cleaned regularly to avoid any damage and discolouration. Remember, plaque can build up on dentures as easily as on real teeth. If plaque is not removed altogether, it can lead to gum problems and cavities.

Follow these steps to take care of dentures in the proper manner: remove the dentures after each meal and rinse them off to eliminate the food debris. Brush the dentures every evening with a soft-bristled brush and immerse them in a cleaning solution. You can actually clean your dentures better than you brush your real teeth as all the debris and plaque is insight.

Gum Disease

Gum Disease | Best Dental Treatment in Whitefield | Sunshine Dental

Gum disease is associated with natural wear and tear of the gum line, hence is more prevalent in the elderly. However, as we have seen above, gum disease can go undetected for years since there are no symptoms in the early stages. But the damage keeps happening without you realizing it till the teeth develop cavities and the gum line becomes too weak to hold the teeth.

Gum disease is caused by accumulated plaque, which gives rise to bacteria that irritate and weaken the gums. The best way to prevent gum disease is to visit your dentist twice a year so any irregularities in the gums can be detected early. If you are a senior citizen and have not visited your dentist, do it immediately to prevent your teeth from loosening or falling out altogether.

Tooth Discolouration

Tooth Discolouration | Best Dental Treatment in Whitefield | Sunshine Dental

Slight darkening of teeth is an inevitable result of the ageing process. Proper dental care can help reduce the darkening. You should also avoid excess intake of coffee, tea, soda and tobacco products to enable your teeth to look as white as they possibly can.

If you want to make them sparkling white, a dentist can help you with cosmetic products. These include tooth whitening procedures and permanent dental veneers, which may make your teeth as white as they were before.

Physical deterioration in old age does not mean we resign ourselves to it. We can fight old age by taking control of our physiology. You can take an active part in your oral health by proper mouth hygiene and being alert for signs and symptoms of oral distress. Twice yearly visits to your dentist will help you maintain a glowing smile. 

In Sunshine Dental we ensure the Best Dental Services in Whitefield. For all enquries visit your nearby dentist.