A Complete Guide to Oral Health For Seniors

Senior citizens have a fair share of dental problems that come with age and forgetting to take care of their teeth back when they were adults. The quality of oral health of senior citizens decreases from adulthood until their current age. This could be due to several factors, such as sugar intake, arthritis, and the movement of teeth through eating and talking throughout the years.

Despite old age, senior citizens should still take care of their teeth by practicing good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. You can start by knowing why it’s important to do so.

Why Dental Care Is Important for Seniors

Oral care is an important part of our well-being, especially for senior citizens. Our mouth is the body’s first line of defense against diseases. We get nutrition by eating the right food but if we don’t take care of our mouths after eating, it could lead to bacteria building up in the teeth and gums.

For senior citizens, taking care of their teeth keeps them away from several diseases that could lead to serious illness and even death. Here are other reasons why seniors should take caring for dental health seriously:

1. Reduce bacteria from going into lungs

Bacteria can accumulate in the mouth if there is no proper dental hygiene which can then lead to pneumonia. By cleaning the mouth regularly, these kinds of bacteria are reduced.

2. Curb the risk of heart attack and stroke 

Bacteria in the mouth can release toxins due to poor oral hygiene. These toxins go into the blood which the heart needs and can damage the heart tissue. Heart attack and stroke are both deadly, and taking oral health for granted can contribute to these diseases.

3. Reduce gum disease and tooth loss 

Bacteria build up in the teeth and gums. If left unchecked, this can lead to gum or periodontal disease which can damage the gums and the bones holding the teeth. This could lead to removing the tooth due to the severity of the gum disease. Diabetic people are more prone to periodontal disease.

4. Limit social interactions and bring down self-esteem 

Having a bad set of teeth can limit people from interacting with others. Our teeth are most commonly seen and noticed whenever we talk to someone. This can cause lower self-esteem and aversion to social gatherings.

Common Dental Problems Among the Elderly

The elderly suffer from dental problems that they have not had in years. These dental problems can be caused by negligence in their younger years and several other factors, such as lack of health insurance, economical disadvantage, and staying in nursing homes. Older people with heart diseases, diabetes, and other chronic diseases can also suffer from dental problems.

Now, you may be wondering why your teeth suddenly hurt when you chew and the thought of losing more teeth starts to worry you at your age. Here are some common dental problems senior citizens experience:

5. Dark and stained teeth 

Sometimes we forget to take a look at the food we consume when we are really hungry. Stains on the teeth can be caused by acids from the food we eat.

6. Tooth decay

Decaying teeth are caused by plaque which is a mix of bacteria, acid, saliva, and food. Plaque melts the enamel that protects the teeth and can eventually infiltrate the gums. Frequent eating and drinking sugary drinks can prevent plaque formation.

7. Gum disease

When plaque lingers on your teeth and gums, it can develop into gum disease. When this happens, your gums start to bleed and your teeth loosen. This can lead to tooth loss. The good thing is gum disease can be prevented by regular checkups by the dentist and maintaining good oral hygiene.

8. Dry mouth

Along with aging are several diseases. Many suffer from different medical conditions that need oral medication most of the time. These medications can cause the mouth to dry, leaving it prone to cavities. Dentists can provide treatments for dry mouth as well.

9. Oral cancer

Some symptoms of oral cancer include loose teeth, white and red patches inside the mouth, mouth sores that do not heal, among others. Too much smoking and drinking alcohol increase the risk of developing oral cancer.

Practicing oral hygiene keeps our mouth healthy, but how do we know if our mouth is healthy? Here’s how to determine if your mouth is healthy.

	HEALTHY	UNHEALTHY
Gums:	pink, strong, no pain	Red, painful, bleeding
Teeth	zero cavities, intact, no pain	Loose, chipped, sharp dental fillers that bump the tongue
Tongue	pink, smooth, moist, no pain	Red, dry, painful, with white or red patches

 

The comfort of wearing dentures is a good sign that your mouth is healthy. When the dentures give you pain and affect your talking, it is time to consult your dentist for some adjustments.

Oral Health and Other Age-Related Medical Conditions

Oral health and aging go side by side. Our bodies become weaker and we find it hard to do daily tasks, such as brushing teeth. Some of the age-related diseases associated with dental conditions include:

• Arthritis – This condition affects the joints in your hands, feet, lower back, hips and knees. You will feel pain and stiffness in the body parts affected by the disease. If you have arthritis in your hand, especially the dominant one, it could be hard and painful to brush your teeth.
• Dementia – Dementia is the impaired ability to remember things, events, and daily routines. Dementia also affects the communication skills of older adults.. Oral hygiene can end up being forgotten by older people who have dementia.
• Osteoporosis – This condition commonly affects older adults and is caused by menopause, lack of Vitamin D, and aging. The bones break easily and can hugely affect your jawbone which supports your teeth. This could put your teeth at a higher risk of cavities and you at risk of tooth loss.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene: Seniors Edition

The importance of oral care in the elderly should not be taken for granted. However, maintaining oral care for them can be quite difficult given their age and mobility. But that should not stop seniors from taking care of their oral health at all costs. Keep your teeth in good shape by doing the following:

• Brush daily. Brushing at least twice every day helps in keeping your mouth clean. Use fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay. A soft-bristled toothbrush is gentle on the mouth and gums.
• Don’t forget to floss. There are areas in your mouth, specifically in between teeth, that your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing at least once a day removes plaque in between teeth that can cause tooth decay.
• Have regular checkups. A six-month interval for regular dental checkups is the most recommended time span. As long as the checkups are regular, you are miles away from destroying your teeth and gums.
• Clean your dentures every day. Your dentures collect a lot of bacteria from being worn inside your mouth all day. Remove and brush them gently with a toothbrush every night. You can also use effervescent denture cleaners and soak them overnight for a better cleaning experience.
• Use mouthwash. Most mouthwash brands are antibacterial, which can keep plaque from building up inside your mouth. Check the label and look for the mouthwash brand with antibacterial properties. Make sure to use mouthwash twice a day.
• Keep yourself hydrated. For seniors, dry mouth is a common side effect for taking over-the-counter drugs for chronic diseases. A dry mouth is a breeding ground for cavities. If the dosage of your medicine cannot be brought down a bit, drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day to keep your mouth moist.
• Clean the dentures. Dentures of any kind should be cleaned every day. Dirty dentures can even cause more problems for seniors. There are denture cleaners available in the market today. Consult your dentist if your dentures don’t fit well anymore.
• Monitor sugar levels. For senior citizens, sugar intake is a big deal. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay and diabetes. You should monitor your sugar level and intake. Of course, we need sugar for us to function and get energized, but it is also a prime contributor to tooth decay.
• Don’t smoke. Tobacco contains sugar and other harmful chemicals that stain the teeth. Aside from that, it can damage your heart and lungs. Putting a stop to smoking puts you in a healthier position.

Interdental cleaners and floss holders are readily available in the market if flossing is hard for you. For those who cannot put a tight grip on their toothbrushes, consider an electric or double-headed toothbrush, or putting acrylic on the handle.

Along with age, mobility is also an issue in maintaining good oral hygiene for seniors. Their hands might hurt due to arthritis and other medical conditions. Seniors with mobility problems need to have extra careful dental care. Here’s what you can do to give your senior the best care:

• Pay attention to eating patterns. If you notice any change, they could be having problems with their dentures.
• Assist in brushing and flossing. You have to stay by their side when they brush and floss their teeth. Be patient at their slow pace and always look out for any hazard that might make them fall to the floor.
• Make sure they see a dentist. Encourage your elder loved one to see a dentist every six months. Accompany them to the dentist and take note of the recommendations. The care of a dentist is the best way to prevent oral health problems at all ages.

Losing Teeth? Get Dental Implants

Dental implants are also an excellent option for senior citizens who have lost some of their natural teeth. These implants fit well on the mouth and will not slip off anytime. You also don’t need to remove the implants to clean them. It stays in your mouth for a long time.

If you are planning to get one, these are some of the factors that you need to consider:

1. A strong jaw. Dentists make sure that your jaw can tolerate the intensity of the procedure. Implants are put in the spaces where you lost your natural teeth. The jawbones support your teeth to keep them from falling off. Your jaw helps you chew food and talk, so it’s important to check its stability before the procedure.
2. A strong immune system. Our immune system gets compromised as we age. For seniors, getting dental implants means having a strong immune system to recover from the procedure. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, can get in the way of recovery.
3. An excellent medical examination results. Before getting your desired dental implants, you need to undergo a medical examination to see if your body can take the implant surgery. Dentists read the results and will tell you if you can proceed to surgery.

Dental Care for Family Members of All Ages

Dental care is important for people of all ages. Early detection and treatment of tooth decay can spare you from several other illnesses that can harm your overall health.

Springdale Dental Centre provides family dentistry services in Brampton, including:

1. Semi-annual checkups and cleanings
2. Dentures
3. Wisdom teeth extractions
4. White fillings
5. Root Canals
6. Cosmetic Dentistry

For appointments, call us at 905-458-1212 or book an appointment on our official website.