How Seniors Can Improve Their Oral Health

Getting older doesn’t mean losing all your teeth; with healthy habits, adults should be able to keep most, if not all, of their teeth for life.

While many people still believe that everyone will need dentures someday, these days, more 75% of adults over age 65 still have some or all of their teeth remaining. On the other hand, nearly 20% of seniors in Australia have no teeth at all.

Regardless of how many teeth a senior does have, if they have dentures, or whatever their current state of dental health is, they should work hard to improve their dental health. This is particularly important because dental health directly supports overall health.

Prevent Dental Suite would like to introduce some unique dental health concerns that adults encounter as they age. We will also provide some tips for how maintain the health of your mouth for as long as possible.

Dental Risk and Ageing

Oral health is crucial to overall good health at any age. Ideally, we all want to keep our natural teeth, but whether you’re caring for natural teeth or dentures, advancing age may put older adults at risk for a number of oral health problems, including:

• Dry mouth
• Diminished sense of taste
• Root decay
• Gum (periodontal) disease
• Uneven jawbone caused by tooth loss
• Denture-induced tissue inflammation
• Attrition (loss of teeth structure by mechanical forces)
• Recession of gums resulting in root exposure
• Oral cancer

These conditions may not be diagnosed until it is too late. If you want to feel good, stay healthy, and look better throughout your life, you should visit us at Prevent Dental, and together we can ensure your dental health!

Benefits of Senior Dental Care

• Comfort: Relieve oral health issues to look and feel your best.
• Easy speaking and eating: Dental restoration or properly fitted dentures make eating, drinking, smiling, and talking easy and natural.
• Appearance: Maintain or restore the look of your teeth and the shape of your face with implants, full dentures, or partial dentures. If your teeth are badly discolored, whitening can reveal a brighter smile.
• Health: By protecting your mouth you also protect the health of your heart, immune system, and more through good oral hygiene practices.

Senior Dental Care Tips

One of the most important ways to ensure your oral health is to visit your dentist regularly, at least twice every year. At your exam, you can discuss any issues you may be experiencing; if you’ve noticed any changes in your teeth or gums, any increased sensitivity or loose teeth, pain, discomfort, bleeding or sores.

Secondly, practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice each day, especially after meals and before bedtime.  Use a toothpaste containing fluoride, as fluoride provides extra protection against dental decay at all ages. At bedtime be certain to floss your teeth and rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash.

If needed, make lifestyle changes like quitting tobacco and limiting alcohol, as these substances increase the risk for periodontal disease and throat or oral cancers.

If painful arthritis or another physical limitation makes brushing and flossing more difficult for you, your Kallangur dentist can suggest dental products to simplify homecare while still cleaning your teeth effectively. Electric toothbrushes, special bristle patterns, floss holders and interdental cleaners are a few alternatives that can make a big difference to your oral hygiene.

Your Health and Dental Care

Studies show that poor dental health is linked to poor overall health as well.

Here are just a few medical conditions linked to poor oral hygiene:

• Heart disease – Bacteria in the bloodstream can travel to the heart and lead to a heart attack.
• Endocarditis – Bacteria may find its way to the inner linings of the heart and valves creating growth pockets of bacteria that cause inflammation and infection.
• Stroke – Strokes can be caused by the narrowing of artery walls or blood clots. Oral bacteria may be a contributing factor to the arteries narrowing as well as blood clots easily forming.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis – Periodontal disease worsens the pain already suffered by those inflicted with this autoimmune disorder.
• Lung Condition – Those suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and pneumonia may have their condition worsened due to an increase of bacteria in their lungs.

So, dental care is crucial for health in your golden years. And at Prevent Dental we are committed to helping you achieve a high level of dental health!

High-quality Dental Care at Prevent Dental Suite in Kallangur

At Prevent Dental Suites, we go above and beyond to help improve your dental care and oral health at every season of life. We are your partners in dental and general health!

We are a family friendly dentist that serves patients of every age!

Call us on +61 7 4158 8885 or book your appointment today!