Dental Care Tips for Seniors

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Dental Care Tips for Seniors
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Introduction

• Aging is a natural phenomenon and so are the
  health issues that come along with it! With age
  your oral health is crucial, and neglecting it
  can introduce a whole set of other health-related
  problems. A good oral hygiene routine helps you
  avoid issues that are detrimental to your general
  health. This article lists some common dental
  care tips for seniors and elderly individuals.
  Keep yourself informed and your loved ones safe.
• Before discussing dental care tips for seniors,
  let us look at some of the common issues. If you
  or someone you know faces these issues, it is
  recommended to get professional help.

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Common Oral and Dental Health Problems in Old Age

• 1. Tooth Darkening This is typically caused by
  changes in your dentin, which is the bone-like
  tissue that lies below your enamel. Teeth
  darkening is also caused by consumption of foods
  and beverages that cause stains. The inner layer
  of dentin which has a darker yellow shade also
  becomes more visible due to the thinning of the
  outer layer of the enamel. This symptom can
  signify a more serious health issue which might
  need a trip to your dentist.
• 2. Dry Mouth A decrease in the flow of saliva
  leads to dry mouth. There can be many reasons
  behind reduced saliva flow, including certain
  diseases, cancer treatments or side effects of
  medicines which lead to a lower
• amount of saliva, causing dryness in the mouth.

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• 3. Gum Disease This is a major dental health
  concern for elderly people. It is primarily
  caused due to plaque and is worsened by leftover
  food stuck in the teeth. Excess consumption of
  tobacco, poor eating habits, ill-fitting bridges
  and dentures can aggravate the condition. Certain
  diseases such as anemia, diabetes, and cancer are
  also contributing factors for this condition.
• 4. Tooth Loss Though this is considered natural
  with aging, it can also be a threat due to other
  issues. Gum disease is one of the major reasons
  behind tooth loss.

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• 5. Root Decay When the root of your tooth is
  exposed to acid, tooth decay occurs. This
  exposure is caused when gum tissues recede. Since
  roots are not protected by enamel-like structure,
  they are more vulnerable to decay than the crown
  part.
• 6. Thrush Your immune system can be negatively
  impacted by diseases, which can lead to the
  overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans in your
  mouth.
• 7. Uneven Jawbone If you do not replace lost or
  missing teeth, the remaining teeth will start
  drifting and shifting into open, vacant spaces.

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Oral Hygiene Tips for Seniors

• 1. Regular Brushing and Flossing From eight to
  eighty, regular brushing and flossing does
  wonders for natural teeth. Brushing at least
  twice daily with fluoride toothpaste helps
  maintain healthy teeth. Flossing at least once
  everyday is essential. Visit your dentist
  regularly for oral and dental check-ups. In
  addition, regular use of anti-septic mouthwash
  helps maintain good oral hygiene.
• 2. Gum Disease prevention Besides tooth loss,
  it causes chronic and serious complications like
  heart diseases, diabetes, and stroke. Recent
  studies have also found links between Dementia
  and Alzheimers disease and poor dental hygiene.
  Make regular visits to your dentist and cooperate
  with your dentist to minimize the effects of gum
  disease.

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• 3. Take Care of Your Roots When your roots are
  exposed due to tooth decay, gum recession, trauma
  etc., your teeth become sensitive to cold and hot
  temperatures. This can be quite painful and
  uncomfortable. It is vital to visit the dentist
  regularly and follow instructions to properly
  care for your roots.
• 4. Look Out for Darkened Teeth Too much
  consumption of tea, coffee, cola, or red wine can
  severely discolour your teeth, which can make you
  self-conscious and cause stress on your mental
  health. Excessive smoking also causes the same
  problem. Your dentist can help with professional
  methods.

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• 5. Keep a Tab on Sugar Intake A high sugar
  intake can cause tooth decay and other oral
  health problems. Elder individuals must
  absolutely keep a strict eye on their sugar
  intake, which can lead to many health related
  issues in addition to dental problems.
• 6. Stay Hydrated This is a simple but
  important dental care tip for elderly people.
  Regular water consumption through out the day,
  will result in better condition of the mouth.
  Check with your doctor and fix a daily quota of
  water intake.

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Why Us?

• Dental care tips for elderly citizens is only a
  guideline. You need professional care from a good
  dental clinic that will do necessary examination
  to catch underlying issues. Dr. Beena George
  Dentistry is there to help seniors with their
  dental care in a safe and caring environment. We
  are professionals for anything related to dental
  and oral health. Visit us or call 905-542-9999 to
  know more.

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Contact Us

• Phone
• [phone]
• Mail Us
• drbeenageorge_at_bellnet.ca
• Address
• 2275 BRITANNIA RD.W., UNIT 10, MISSISSAUGA, ON
  L5M 2G6