Oral Health For Seniors: Preventing And Treating Periodontal Disease

One thing that people care about when they grow older is their oral health, as is the case with any other part of their health. Gingivitis is another prevalent oral ailment among the elderly, where a little over 18% of citizens aged 65 years and above are affected in the United States. To most individuals, gum disease is something they are bound to experience as they grow old, and it calls for constant prevention.

There are a variety of risk factors that require proper attention for dental problems, especially among the elderly. Diabetes is a disease associated with oral health; it has a genetic factor. However, hormone changes due to age are also other factors that affect women’s oral health. Numerous medications can be classified as causing problems with teeth, for example, those that have a drying effect on the salivary glands.

How Does Aging Impact One’s Dental Health?

Regular aging brings several factors into the scene that can impact your dental health standards. Such problems may cause certain discomforts, pains, and issues with eating and may negatively impact a person’s self-image.

The following are causes of tooth decay in seniors: the elderly tend to have weak tooth enamel and are prone to cavities. Most seniors have dry mouths due to the usage of prescription drugs, and their diets are poor. Gingiva and periodontal illness subtypes also encompass gum sickness, gingivitis, and periodontitis, which could result in tooth loss whether treated or not.

Moreover, dry mouth, which several drugs or diseases could prompt, decreases the amount of saliva delivered, leading to a higher probability of both caries and pathological periodontal statuses. The problem of sensitive teeth can be painful or uncomfortable when consuming certain foods – especially those extremely hot or cold.

In this case, the discoveries will provide an understanding of periodontal disease and how it is managed in the elderly.

The infection can go to the gums and then to the underlying bone structure that supports the teeth, known as periodontitis. For seniors, this condition results in tooth loss and restricted ability to chew on foods that require harder chewing, and in severe cases, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes complications.

The main factors that lead to gum disease are lack of stringent oral hygiene practices, tobacco use, drugs, and diseases including diabetes. Old people are vulnerable to gum disease for several reasons, including poor immune response, poor saliva flow, and other associated health conditions. Measures should be taken to maintain good oral health.

Periodontal Disease amongst the Elderly and How They Can Prevent It

The first measure regarding periodontal disease is always prevention, which can be done in several ways. Here are some hints that can help those in Artesia who are over sixty protect themselves from periodontal disease.

Some common behaviors are: one should regularly brush their teeth, which is one of the key healthy habits people should adopt. Brushing teeth twice and flossing once is essential in removing plaque and preventing cavities.

Individuals with constrained mobility or arthritis should visit their dentist and consider using the electric toothbrush because they are easy to use and provide a superior clean. Also, fluoride toothpaste can assist in building the enamel and enhance protection against gum disease.

Ways to Ensure Good Oral Hygiene Practices in The Elderly

• Brushing Techniques and Frequency: You should brush your teeth at least twice daily. Foam toothbrushes, softened bristles, and fluoride toothpaste are recommended. Put some water in your mouth and rinse it thoroughly by moving the toothbrush around your mouth until you find every tooth close to the gum line, and brush it well. Deciding on a toothbrush with a bit of head and a proper handle assists seniors with disability and impaired hand strength. If you realize you do not know how long it is appropriate to brush your teeth, use an alarm or any song for about 2 minutes.
• Flossing and Interdental Cleaning: Although seniors should not forget to brush their teeth commonly, they should also floss and do interdental cleaning because they significantly prevent gum diseases. Interdental cleaners clean between the teeth and gums and remove plaque and food debris when used at least once daily. Using other interdental cleaners, such as brush or water flossers, may be beneficial, particularly for older adults with limited hand function.
• Selecting the Correct Oral Care Products: Oral care products for special needs exist. For instance, fluoride toothpaste reduces tooth enamel’s current and future susceptibility to acid attack. If you have a dry mouth, saliva-releasing or moistening mouthwash will be of great help since saliva serves to guard against other diseases.
• Regular Dental Check-Ups: Older people should also continue seeing the dentist for check-ups and having their teeth scaled and polished. Dentists are taught to recognize signs of developing gum disease or other oral health complications and can then give the appropriate guidance and treatment. Depending on your unique requirements, your visits may be more frequent, but again, a visit is suggested at least every 6 months for the average person.
• Addressing Dental Issues Early: If you are experiencing a dental problem, you must seek help to stop gum problems and toothlessness worsening. Any gum receding, redness, swelling, bleeding, or tooth sensitivity should be communicated to the dentist. This is all good if you do something about it early enough to save the teeth and further destruction of the gum.
• Balanced Diet: Formulating a healthy diet for teeth and gums is mandatory. Other oral conditions must be prevented, starting with seniors ensuring they consume foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Dietary products that have qualities like calcium included in them and products like dairy and greens are suitable for the teeth and other bones. Moreover, apples and carrots are crunchy, which ensures that they offer the body essential nutrients besides helping to encourage saliva production, which is vital in washing the teeth and gums.
• Limiting Foods High in Sugar and Acid: Apart from the proper nutrition plan, seniors should pay particular attention to how much sugar and acid they consume as both harm the teeth and gums. Acidic foods and/or drinks should not be often taken. If taken, seniors should rinse their mouth with water afterward and wait before brushing away the softened tooth enamel.
• Quitting Smoking and Reducing Alcohol Consumption: Cigarette smoking is disastrous to oral health since oral cancer, periodontal disease, and tooth loss are frequent if one is a smoker. It is advised that seniors quit smoking to improve their oral health, as well as their overall health.

Conclusion

These are prime prevention features; people must brush and floss daily and have regular dental checkups. It is recommended that seniors visit a dentist twice a year for a prophylaxis and examination.

These appointments enable the dentist to assess the state of gums and notice the initial signs of periodontal disease, hence treating them. Cleanings are essential for mechanical and hard-to-remove substances such as plaque and tartar that cannot be removed by brush. Contact Beaumont Dental for all your needs.