Dental Care for Senior Citizens

There are many problems that come with the advancement in age, oral health problems being one of them. Gum problems, tooth sensitivity, tooth loss and dryness of mouth are only a few problems faced by them which makes dental care for seniors  a lot more important.

1) Dryness of Mouth

With increase in age, the capacity of the salivary glands to release saliva decreases, which makes the mouth dry. Dryness of mouth could also be caused due to medical treatments. Saliva plays an important role to keep the mouth moist, damp and fights bacteria.

2) Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is one of the most widespread oral malaise as far as senior citizens are concerned. They must clean the teeth and gums properly so that there is no accumulation of plaque and food debris which helps bacterial colonies to thrive.

3) Teeth Sensitivity

Brushing too hard may cause your enamel to be worn away which leads to tooth sensitivity. Senior citizens often experience a tingling sensation whenever they consume cold-drinks or tea or coffee. This can turn into severe pain if the enamel and dentin layer is worn away.

4) Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease which results in reduced bone density. Decreased bone density in mouth leads to weaker teeth which results in a high possibility of tooth loss. Osteoporosis is mostly found in adult females who have undergone menopause, and according to National Institute of Health, women who have undergone menopause are thrice as likely to lose a tooth as compared to a woman who has not undergone menopause.

5) Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that slowly and steadily leads to the destruction of memory. Due to this, Alzheimer’s patients may forget the need or the way of brushing their teeth. Thus, it is the caretakers duty to help them out so that they do not face any oral health issues.

6) Gum Disease

Do you have swollen gums? Are your gums painful to touch? Do they bleed after brushing or flossing? If yes, then you are probably suffering from Gingivitis. It is formed in response to plaque formation in the gums. Gingivitis can be eliminated by good oral hygiene, but if neglected can cause periodontitis which can ultimately lead to tooth loss.

With increase in age, dental care for seniors is a must and only experienced dentists must be approached so that quality is assured and oral health hygiene is maintained.