There is an old notion that as a person gets old, they lose their tooth gradually. This however, may no longer be true.
The pressence of plaque, tooth loss and periodontal disease are unavoidable problems that we will face in our later years. Bone support along the tooth weakens as a result of bacterial infection. What’s worse is that older people are more exposed to infectious organisms and are at higher risk for periodontal disease. In fact, 50% of adults over age 55 have periodontal disease.
These factors make older adults more at risk for periodontal disease:
Systemic diseases. Diseases like diabetes weakens the body’s capability to fight infection. Osteoporosis is another disease that goes with aging. It also affects the bone surrounding the teeth. If you already have a systemic condition, it will affect periodontal diease. To combat this, you should be diligent in reducing the development of plaque in your teeth. Plaque develops when bacteria forms a colony on our teeth. Aside from daily oral care, it is important to see your dentist regularly for check up and dental cleaning.
Medications. Some medication can speed up the development of plaque. Medicines for the heart can cause gum overgrowth. Antidepressants can cause dry mouth and can reduce the saliva’s natural ability to fight plaque. Disease-fighting prescription can weaken our immune system allowing infections to worsen without much resistance. During your check-ups don’t fail to mention the medication you’re using so your dentist can warn you and guide you on its possible effects on your dental health. And your dental team can also be on the lookout for plaque build-up.
Dry mouth. Not having enought flow of saliva in the mouth can cause dental problems. Saliva washes away debris from food in our mouth. It also has the ability to neutralize plaque and prevent it from causing plaque and gum problems. Lack of saliva can be caused by medication or certain illnesses. It will be a challenge for people with dry mouth to wear dentures. It will be hard for them to talk, eat, or swallow food. You can try the following to help you deal with dry mouth: drink water often; mouthwashes, eating sugar-free candies; fluoride gels.
Physical Limitations. For people with physical disabilities, taking care of their dental health is a daily challenge. Unfortunately, without proper care, their teeth is prone to cavities and gum problems. Dentists recommend using an electric toothbrush or floss holders to make the task easier. There are products that can supplement insufficient brushing and flossing. Try using anti-microbial or fluoride rinses. Or go to the dentist as often as recommended for dental cleaning.
Hromonal changes. Older women are at the highest risk for periodontal disease and tooth loss. According to studies, a woman’s estrogen level increases after menopause. Older women may need to undergo estrogen replacement therapy to reverse the problem.
It is important to preserve our teeth even in our later years because our teeth helps us in our digestion and speech. A missing tooth will affect our appearance and self-esteem. Artificial teeth like dentures are available in the event we lose a tooth however, they’re different from our original teeth. They cannot function just as good. If we don’t have good teeth, it can cause us to be malnourished and lead to complications. With all the advancement that modern dentistry has to offer, we should utilize it so we can hold on to our original set of teeth.
