As we get older our maintaining good oral health definitely gets more difficult and is different than how they used to be. Do you have questions about the how’s and why’s regarding oral health for seniors? In this article we talk about the issues faced by the elderlys when it comes to taking care of their oral health and how to overcome them.
Oral Health Issues Faced by Seniors:
Aging is a natural process. In due course of old age body tissues get harder, collection of waste products in body cells and loss of lubrication leads to impaired functions of various organs. There is a close relation between oral health status and general health. It would be really hard to maintain good health for an elderly while suffering from a painful gum disease or tooth decay. Here are some common issues faced by seniors relating to their oral health:
- Dry mouth.
- Root decay.
- Diminished sense of taste.
- Darkened teeth.
- Tooth loss.
- Gum diseases.
- Denture-induced stomatitis.
- Uneven jawbone.
- Thrush.
Ways to maintain a good oral health for seniors:
It is important to take care of oral health for seniors as plaque can build up quickly on the teeth of seniors, especially if oral hygiene is neglected, and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Here are some oral hygiene tips for seniors:
- Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day (Antibacterial mouth rinse can reduce bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease, according to the American Dental Association.)
- Pay attention to changes in your mouth (for example: Numbness in your tongue or mouth, Swelling in your jaw, A lump or thick area in your mouth, lip, or throat etc.)
- Eat healthily and cut down on sugary food and drinks.
- Stop smoking or use of other tobacco products. Smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or using snuff puts you at higher risk for oral cancer. Smoking also increases your risk for gum disease.
- Visit your dentist on a regular schedule for cleaning and an oral exam.
Reasons for poor oral health in seniors:
The issue faced today is that many seniors and elderly are not treating their oral health as something they should maintain but instead only take themselves to the dentists or hospitals for oral related issues when cases are more severe cases. Conversely, attitudes should be changed and the oral health goal should include: Keeping their teeth, keeping their teeth healthy and keeping their teeth pretty.
Some of the more common reasons for complication and increase difficulty while maintaining a good oral health for seniors are:
- Age changes in oral mucous membrane.
- Changes in the teeth with aging.
- Changes in salivary glands and salivary secretion with aging.
- Nutrition in old age and its implications for oral care.
- Aging and periodontal disease.
- Prosthetic considerations in geriatric dentistry.
- Need for preventive services.
- Problems of providing preventive dental care for elderly people.
If you are in Hamden and you are looking to do a dental screening as a senior. At Parkway Dental we have trained and highly experienced professionals that can provide you with the proper dental care you and your loved ones need. Give us a call at (203) 408-2248 to book an appointment.