Taking care of your oral health is crucial at any age, even if you no longer have any teeth to take care of. Fortunately, older adults are increasingly keeping their natural teeth longer than ever before. This is due, in large part, to advances in preventative dental care.
Preventive dentistry includes all of the positive oral health habits that keep decay, disease, and infection at bay. Such habits include, for instance, visiting Bristol Dental Clinic for an examination and cleaning, as well as your regular tooth brushing at home.
These healthy habits become all the more essential as we age. Seniors are at a heightened risk for many oral health conditions, making preventative dentistry absolutely vital.
Common Risks to Senior Dental Health
Regardless of age, every patient faces the same list of potential dental issues. Cavities, gingivitis, and even oral cancer don’t care how old you are! Unfortunately, your risk of these conditions does not decrease as you age. Rather, seniors are more susceptible to certain conditions, making preventative dental care all the more crucial.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is very common among seniors. Medications, radiation therapy, certain diseases, smoking, and alcohol often lead to dry mouth. Dehydration is another factor, especially as most older adults do not drink the recommended daily amount of water.
What many patients don’t realize is how dry mouth negatively impacts their oral health. A dry mouth is the perfect environment for oral bacteria, leading to bacterial overgrowth that attacks tooth enamel and irritates gums. This can lead to tooth decay and oral infections.
Tooth Decay
Cavities are another cause for concern among senior citizens. In 2019, the CDC found that 1 in 6 older adults had untreated tooth decay. It’s important to remember that tooth decay is irreversible, meaning that those unaddressed cavities will continue to worsen. If the decay reaches the inner layers of the tooth, it can cause an infection, which will require a root canal to fix.
Dry mouth is also one of the leading causes of tooth decay in seniors, along with poor oral hygiene and gum recession.
Gum Disease
The CDC also found that gum disease is significantly more prevalent in adults aged 70 to 81. Additionally, they determined that 68% of adults 65 years and over have chronic periodontitis (gum disease). Also, people with diabetes are at a greater risk of periodontal disease.
Periodontitis causes red, swollen, tender, and even bleeding gums. Although reversible in its early stages, advanced gum disease causes permanent and severe damage, including tooth loss.
Regular, preventive dental services are imperative for early detection and reversal of the disease. If your dentist identifies gingivitis, they will take swift action to restore your mouth to good health before it can turn into mild, moderate, or advanced periodontitis.
Tooth Loss
Most seniors experience tooth loss as a result of advanced periodontal disease. Poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, and advanced tooth decay are also significant risk factors.
Losing a tooth negatively impacts your mental health and self-image, no matter how old you are. Missing teeth lead to jaw bone deterioration, giving many seniors a sunken facial appearance. The surrounding teeth can shift into the empty space, creating a crooked smile that’s tough to clean. Additionally, it becomes harder to eat many of the nutrient-dense foods that are essential to good health.
Oral Cancer
Seniors are also more likely to develop pharyngeal and oral cancer than younger people. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, the risk of oral cancer is greatest in men over the age of 45. Tobacco use (including smoking and chewing tobacco), along with excessive alcohol consumption and HPV, are the primary risk factors.
4 Benefits of Preventative Dental Care for Seniors
1. Prevent decay and disease
Preventive dentistry helps protect your mouth against tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections. This involves regular dental examinations, professional cleanings, and a robust at-home oral hygiene routine.
Poor oral hygiene is one of the leading causes of these oral health conditions. When plaque and tartar are permitted to accumulate on the teeth and along the gum line, it weakens the protective tooth enamel and irritates the gums. Eventually, the tooth decay can become so severe that it leads to an infection within the tooth. Ongoing gum inflammation, on the other hand, can cause periodontitis.
Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once daily, and visiting your Mississauga dentist every six months are all crucial parts of preventative dentistry. By keeping plaque and tartar buildup at bay, you help to ensure long-term oral health.
2. Stop tooth loss
Most of the reasons for tooth loss are preventable; specifically, gum disease and advanced tooth decay. As you now know, gum disease (also known as periodontitis) is the leading cause of tooth loss in seniors. Good oral hygiene, which is one part of preventative dental care, helps minimize the risk of periodontitis.
Unfortunately, some medications increase your risk of developing gum disease, particularly those that cause dry mouth as a side effect. If you experience dry mouth because of your medication, please inform your dentist at Bristol Dental Clinic. We’ll take extra steps to monitor and care for your mouth to manage your frequent dry mouth. Additionally, we can provide personalized advice on how to manage changes to your oral health due to age and medications.
3. Early detection of oral cancer
As the risk of oral cancer is highest among seniors, a crucial part of your dental checkup involves looking for any sores, lumps, or discoloured tissue. Your dentist closely examines your mouth (including lips, gums, tongue, and inner cheeks), throat, and neck during this process.
Remember, early detection is key to successful treatment!
4. Maintain dental restorations
Regular dental checkups offer a valuable opportunity to care for any dental restorations. Dentures, crowns, and bridges can wear down over time or become ill-fitting, making it harder to chew or speak. You might also experience some discomfort or redness on your gums.
In other words, it’s time for a replacement! During your next appointment, your dentist will assess the condition of your dental work and determine whether adjustments or a full replacement are needed. Your restorations must be functioning properly, so you can eat and speak normally without discomfort.
Oral Hygiene Tips
- Regular dental checkups at Bristol Dental Clinic
- Talking to your dentist about any medications you’re taking
- Brushing your teeth twice a day
- Flossing once per day
- Proper care and cleaning of dentures
- Staying hydrated
- Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Senior Citizen Dental Care From Bristol Dental Clinic
Bristol Dental Clinic is proud to offer comprehensive preventive dental services for seniors. These include your regular checkups, professional cleanings, dental appliance maintenance, and oral cancer screenings. Additionally, we provide personalized oral hygiene education, so you understand how to best care for your teeth and gums as you age.
To book an appointment with a dentist in Mississauga, call Bristol Dental Clinic at 866-673-2109 or contact us here.
