It becomes more crucial to take good care of your teeth and dental health as you age. A common assumption is that it is normal and inevitable to lose your teeth as you age. If taken good care of, your teeth could last for a lifetime. Your mouth changes as you age. For instance, the nerves become smaller, making the teeth less sensitive to dental cavities and other dental issues. If you do not seek regular dental care, your dental problems might be diagnosed too late. A healthy mouth goes a long way in making you stay healthy, feel good, and look great throughout your life.
Dental Care For Seniors
Advancing age puts many people at risk of numerous oral health problems. Oral health affects your overall health and overall quality of life.
In the United States, dental disease is a common cause of emergency room visits. Seniors are often at an increased risk of dental problems due to common chronic illnesses in older adults and the medications used to treat these conditions. In addition, dental care benefits cease upon retirement, making senior dental care a problem in the United States. Seniors are also likely to miss their dental appointments due to age-related memory loss, lack of transportation, and other cognitive problems.
Regular senior dental care could help prevent common problems like gum disease, toothaches, and tooth loss. In addition, with healthy teeth, a senior person can enjoy food and eat healthily. Below are some of the reasons why it is essential to make senior dental care a priority:
Darkened Teeth
To some extent, darkened teeth are caused by changes in the dentin, which commonly occurs with age. Dentin refers to the bone-like tissues that lie below the tooth enamel. A darkened dentin may result from a lifetime of consuming stain-causing foods or beverages. Stained teeth could also result from the thinning of the enamel, making the yellower dentin show. However, a darkened tooth or teeth could be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you have the issue checked by a qualified doctor.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is also a common problem in seniors. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria harm the tooth enamel, leading to dental cavities. One of the primary reasons why older people are at a higher risk of tooth decay is a dry mouth. Saliva protects the teeth and reduces the bacteria in the mouth. A dry mouth is often a result of some of the drugs that seniors take, including medications for high blood pressure, asthma, and depression.
A reduced saliva flow could also result from cancer treatments that direct radiation to the head and the neck area. Other illnesses like Sjogren’s syndrome could also cause a dry mouth.
Gum Disease
Two in three elderly persons have gum disease. A severe form of gum disease, also known as periodontitis, could lead to sore or bleeding gums, chewing difficulties, and tooth loss, among other health problems. Gum disease results from the accumulation of plaque. It could be made worse by the food particles that remain in the mouth, poor diets, poorly fitting dentures, the use of tobacco products, and certain illnesses like cancer, anemia, and diabetes, which are common problems in older people. Unfortunately, many people do not realize that they have gum disease because the condition does not cause any symptoms until it advances. With regular and quality senior dental care, it is possible to prevent gum disease.
Tooth Loss
Tooth loss is also a common problem in adults. One in five people above 65 years old has lost their teeth. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in seniors. Tooth loss could affect a senior’s health and nutrition. Seniors with missing teeth may not be able to enjoy certain food options like vegetables or fruits.
Increased Risk Of Heart Disease
inflammation that results from gum disease increases the risk of heart disease in seniors. Gum disease could also worsen certain heart conditions. Gum disease is also associated with an increased risk of stroke in seniors.
Seniors Are More Prone To Diabetes
Seniors are more prone to diabetes than young people. Poor blood sugar control puts seniors at a higher risk of dental problems like gum disease and inflammation. Too much glucose in saliva encourages the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Gum disease also seems to affect blood sugar control in seniors with diabetes.
Bacterial Pneumonia
Older persons with poor dental hygiene are at a higher risk of bacteria disease, especially if they smoke. As you breathe, the bacteria in your mouth could travel to your lungs. Maintaining good dental care, especially in seniors who cannot take good care of themselves, could help lower the risk of Bacterial Pneumonia.
Early Detection Of Oral Cancer
Older people are at an increased risk of oral cancer. The risk of oral cancer is exceptionally high in seniors who smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or people who chew tobacco. Regular dental visits could help detect the signs of oral cancer early.
Denture-induced Stomatitis
Poor dental hygiene, ill-fitting dentures, or a build-up of fungus Candida albicans could cause denture-induced stomatitis. This condition refers to the inflammation of the tissue that underlies a denture.
Uneven Jaw Bone
Uneven jawbone in seniors often results from tooth loss and failing to replace missing teeth. This leads to the drifting and shifting of other teeth into the open spaces on the gum.
Thrush
Certain illnesses or drugs that affect the immune system could lead to an overgrowth of fungus Candida albicans in the mouth, causing thrush.
Age is not a sole factor or a dominant in determining oral health. However, certain age-related conditions in seniors like arthritis of the hands or fingers could make brushing and flossing difficult, leading to poor oral health. Certain drugs could also affect a senior’s oral health and necessitate a change in a senior’s dental treatment.
Oral Hygiene Tips For Older Persons
Regular brushing and flossing are necessary to enable a senior to maintain good oral health. Accelerate plaque build-up is common in seniors, especially if they neglect their oral health. The continuous plaque build-up could lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Below are some of the essential tips for maintaining good oral health:
- You should brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Older persons could also benefit from using an electric toothbrush for a more comprehensive cleaning.
- Use dental floss or another flossing tool to clean between your teeth at least once a day.
- If you wear partial or full dentures, you should remember to clean the dentures daily. It is also advisable to ensure that you take off the dentures for several hours per day. In addition, it is advisable to remove your dentures in the morning and wear them at night.
- You should drink tap water because it contains fluoride that helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride-rich water is beneficial no matter what age you are.
- It is also advisable to quit smoking, especially if you are above 65 years. This is because smoking increases your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, tooth loss and puts you at a higher risk of lung cancer and other forms of cancer.
- Regular dental visits for a complete dental check-up are essential.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash that could help reduce bacteria that cause plaque accumulation and gum disease.
Seniors could help their teeth last a lifetime by adopting healthy oral habits, seeking regular dental care, and making smart choices regarding their diet and lifestyle. You should adopt the proper oral habits whether you have your natural teeth, dental implants, or dentures.
What A Senior Should Expect During A regular Dental Exam
If you are an older person headed for a dental check-up, you could be wondering about what to expect from your dentist. Your dentist will conduct an oral exam and a thorough history of your oral health. Some of the questions that your dentist might ask include:
- The date of your last dental visit and the purpose of your visit
- If you have noticed some changes in your mouth, including a change in the appearance of your gum and teeth
- If you have sensitive or loose teeth
- If you often experience discomfort, pain, or bleeding in your mouth
- If you have any difficulty chewing, tasting, and swallowing
- If you have noticed any swellings, lumps, or bumps in your mouth
Your dentist will examine your face and neck during a dental examination. The dentist will be keen to check your skin for sores, moles, and skin discoloration. The dentist might also examine your bite to see if there is a problem with how the teeth bite together while closing and opening your mouth. The dentist might also examine your jaw to check for signs of popping and clicking in your temporomandibular joint. Other areas of focus include your salivary glands and lymph nodes to check for signs of lumps or swellings. The dentist could check your inner cheeks for ulcers, infections, and traumatic injuries. An oral examination could also involve checking other interior surfaces like the soft and hard palate, your tongue, the floor of your mouth, and the gum tissue to check for infection or signs of oral cancer. Finally, your dentist may examine your teeth to check for tooth decay, the condition of your dental fillings, and the presence of cracks.
If a senior wears dentures and other appliances, the dentist may ask several questions about when the person wears the dentures and when they take them out in the case of removable dentures. The dentist might also look for signs of irritation or other problems in the areas where the dental appliances touch. The exam might also involve examining the dental appliance and looking for any broken or worn-out areas.
Helping A Elderly Loved One Maintain Good Oral Health
You might have a spouse, parent, or friend who has difficulties managing their dental health due to old age. You can help them in two primary ways:
- Helping them to keep their teeth clean by reminding them to brush or floss their teeth regularly
- Ensuring that they visit the dentist regularly
Helping a senior to observe the two steps outlined above could help them avoid many dental problems. For senior persons, tasks that once seemed simple might be challenging. If your loved one is having a hard time brushing or flossing their teeth, you could speak to a hygienist or a dentist to provide you with helpful tips on a different approach to observing good oral health. You should preferably seek counsel from dentists who focus on providing dental services to elderly or disabled persons. You can check the Special Care Dentistry Association's referral directory to identify a good specialist.
Remind Your Loved One To Brush
If a senior is forgetful, you should help the person set reminders. For example, remind them to brush their teeth at least twice a day and to floss. Acquiring a soft, electric toothbrush could make the process easier. Flossing regularly helps prevent plaque build-up and gum disease.
Check The Dentures
If a senior wears dentures, you should ensure that you pay close attention to their eating habits. If you notice that a senior has difficulties eating or is not eating as much food as they should, the problem could be with the dentures.
A Healthy Diet
You should encourage your loved one to adopt a healthy diet that is not high in sugars. This will help to prevent tooth decay and other dental problems.
Inform The Doctor About Other Medical Conditions And Medications
It is advisable to inform the dentist about the senior’s other medical conditions and the medications they take for those conditions. For example, if a dry mouth is an issue, the dentist may recommend several strategies to relieve the problem.
When an elderly person is confined in bed, they may have many health challenges that could make it challenging to observe good oral hygiene. However, it is still crucial to maintain good oral health even for bedridden people because the bacteria in their mouths could travel to their lungs, causing advanced respiratory problems.
The Link Between Medication And Dental Cavities
Perhaps you’re wondering why you have cavities, yet you have not had them throughout your life. As we get older, we enter a phase of being more prone to cavities. Cavities in older adults typically result from a dry mouth, which is a normal process of aging. However, a dry mouth also occurs as a side effect of many drugs, usually the drugs used in treating asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anxiety, pain, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and depression. Therefore, it is crucial to inform your dentist about any medication you could be taking. Your dentist can make recommendations to help relieve a dry mouth and prevent the formation of dental cavities. Some of the recommendations include:
- The dentist may advise you to use over-the-counter oral moisturizers to relieve a dry mouth. These may include mouthwash and sprays.
- The dentist may also liaise with your other physicians to determine whether you can change the medication or the dosage.
- Your dentist may also advise you to drink more water. For instance, the dentist may advise you to always carry a water bottle with you and drink water regularly, even when you don’t feel thirsty. This water gives your mouth constant lubrication.
- You can use sugar-free chewing gum to help enhance saliva production.
- You could also get a humidifier to help keep the air in your room moisturized.
- Ensuring that you avoid foods and beverages that irritate a dry mouth, these foods and beverages include carbonated soft drinks, alcohol, coffee, and acidic fruit juices.
- Your dentist may also apply a varnish or a fluoride gel to protect your teeth from cavities.
Paying For Your Dental Care After Retirement
Many older persons are often surprised to learn that Medicare does not cover routine dental check-ups. You should begin planning for your dental expenses before you even retire to ensure that your dental health will not suffer after your retirement when you are on a fixed income. Certain organizations like AARP provide supplemental dental insurance plans for their people/members.
You may also opt for discount dental plans because these have a lower monthly fee than conventional dental insurance. Again, you can choose a dentist from an approved plan network. These dentists often provide dental services at discounted rates, much lower than the typical dental feel. You could even pay the subsidized fees out of office, meaning that you won’t have to fill any claim network.
Many dentists provide low-interest or no-interest financing, which is much better than paying for your dental expenses using a credit card with higher interest rates. If you have challenges continuing your dental care due to limited income, you should ensure that you speak to your dentist. The dentist may offer a solution, mainly in the form of a flexible payment plan.
Find A Reliable Tarzana Dentist Near Me
If you need an experienced dentist in Tarzana, Los Angeles, who cares about your needs, we invite you to contact Tarzana Dental Care. For many years, we have provided quality dental care services to older persons. In addition, we have flexible payment plans to help cater to your dental expenses conveniently. Contact us at 818-708-3232 and speak to one of our dentists.