It is important for a person to maintain their oral health in good shape. Seniors are prone to experience many issues such as teeth loss, discoloration of teeth, gum disease, and more. Let’s have a look at some of the conditions that make their oral health worse.
Dry Mouth or Xerostomia
Dry mouth otherwise called as Xerostomia is a condition in which the salivary glands are unable to produce saliva that are normally required. Saliva plays a crucial role in breaking down the food, preventing tooth decay and protect bad breath. Dry mouth is the result of saliva that is not being produced enough. Also, the dry mouth cause minor discomfort to problems with cavities.
Dry mouth in seniors could be the result of several medications they take in. As most of the seniors who are above 65 are on some sort of medication and due to this they experience dry mouth. Certain infections, allergies and hormone changes promotes dry mouth in the older people.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is a worrying condition for everyone. Otherwise known as halitosis bad breath can be the result of poor dental habits and may be the indication of other issues. Seniors are more susceptible to this condition. The type of foods and other unhealthy lifestyle habits can also make the condition worse.
Bad breath is not a condition that forms on its own, there is an underlying issue that cause bad breath which you can eliminate through proper care. Dry mouth, poor dental hygiene and gum disease also stimulate bad breath. The best way to tackle the issue is to visit your dentist often and keep your teeth clean. If you have dentures, special care should be taken about cleaning them. Plaque can build up on both dentures and teeth, and this is a major provider to unpleasant breath.
Tooth Loss
Tooth loss is common among seniors. Apart from ageing, smoking habits and poor dental hygiene promotes tooth loss in this age group. You can reduce the chance of tooth loss by visiting your dentist often. By visiting regularly the dentist can come up with suitable solutions to prevent tooth loss.
Cavities
There is an increased chance of developing cavities in the teeth gradually. This poses higher risk among seniors. Consuming sugary foods will increase the chance of getting cavities. The best way to tackle this is to limit the intake of sugary foods and beverages and keep the habit of brushing and flossing teeth daily. Using mouth wash also protect teeth from forming cavities.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is a common problem among aged population. As the gum diseases takes years to develop, aged people are more vulnerable to this condition than adults. Practicing good dental practice early is the best way to prevent gum disease. Never neglect the importance of getting professional care.
Tooth Discoloration
As you age it is common to get your teeth discolored. Though you are good in following dental hygiene, some discoloration will happen. Eliminate the use of tobacco products, tea, coffee and colored beverages to keep teeth as white as possible. If you are not happy, you can seek cosmetic service which can help you to a greater extent. Professional teeth whitening or permanent dental veneers could be the solution and your dentist will devise a perfect solution for this condition. You might keep these potential risks in mind as you age. So visit your dentist often and keep your oral heath in good condition always. You can enjoy still a bright healthy smile with proper dental hygiene and care you receive from your dentist. You can consult Lakewood Dental Smile in Dearborn, Michigan for comprehensive dental procedures and keep your teeth shine at any age.
