Reasons to Visit a Dentist: 3 Common Oral Health Issues in Older Adults
Ageing is not always a pretty process, and your mouth will also suffer the consequences. Maintaining dental health for older adults is not easy because they are more vulnerable to dental issues. A lifetime spent chewing, gnashing, and grinding, added to medical problems can lead to various dental issues among older adults.
Most ageing adults are also not keen on dental appointments. However, it is important to schedule an appointment with your older adult's dentist for an extensive diagnosis. The article covers some common dental issues experienced by older dental patients.
Decaying Teeth
Tooth decay often causes cavities that can be painful and develop into infections. Serious tooth decay could result in tooth loss. Cavities are mostly associated with children eating sugary sweets, but this is a common issue for older adults. The sad part is some of them are not getting the proper treatment for tooth decay.
Once the decay develops due to poor dental hygiene, the gums start receding and increase the risk of tooth loss. However, some seniors with arthritis may feel pain when brushing their teeth. Talking to your dentist will help you develop an ideal solution for treating tooth decay and preventing future dental issues.
Dried Mouth
The older you get, the less saliva your mouth produces. Many senior adults have a dry mouth and don't make enough saliva. Ignoring a dry mouth issue increases the chances of developing other dental problems. Saliva is required to flush out food particles, and reduced saliva production as one grows older increases the chances of developing other dental problems.
Chewing sugar-free gum, drinking a lot of water, and avoiding sugary foods and drinks can combat reduced saliva production. However, it is also important to discuss these issues with the dentist to guarantee your senior adult gets the best solution.
Oral Cancers
As you age, the chances of getting oral cancers increases, and the stakes are higher for people who frequently take alcohol and smoke. In case your loved one experiences sores and ulcers that don't heal fast or the colour around their mouth changes, it is better to seek dental advice from the professionals. Identifying specific issues before they progress could help save the life of your senior family member. Therefore, schedule regular dental appointments to check for the presence of oral cancers in your senior's mouth.
If you wish to maintain healthy oral hygiene for your loved one, talk to an expert. Dentists know the best routines and oral hygiene practices your older adult should follow to keep their mouths healthy. Therefore, the dental experts will advise you on what should be done and keep conducting extensive exams to ensure everything is okay.
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