As we grow older, we face a greater risk of having cavities. During the later years of life, our teeth decay, our mouths start to become dry, and our nutritional intake worsens. As a result, our mouth is prone to having gingivitis, cavities, and other periodontal diseases. Thankfully, there are many ways to mitigate the risk of oral disease as an older adult. It all starts by practicing good oral hygiene habits. Read on to learn more about the common dental problems in older people!
Gum Disease
Periodontal diseases, also known as gum disease, are infections of the tissues that support the teeth. The onset of gum disease is caused by food remnants and plaque that are left in the mouth. Older adults face an increased risk of having gum disease if they have dirty dentures, have a poor diet, or use cigarettes or cigars.
Tooth Loss
Many American adults over the age of 65 have lost most of their teeth. The main cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease, which is caused by many different factors.
Stomatitis
Stomatitis is the inflammation of the mouth and lips that happens due to wrongly fitted dentures and poor dental hygiene. Dentures that do not fit well in one’s mouth can make the harmful bacteria hard to remove and result in a buildup of bacterial cultures.
Root Decay
Many older adults with poor dental hygiene habits can cause the roots of their teeth to be exposed because of the overconsumption of acidic beverages and foods. As a result, the gum tissues recede and the roots of the teeth become exposed without the protective enamel covering. Teeth roots are vulnerable to structural decay and bacterial infections.
Jawbone Misconfiguration
When older adults lose their tooth and do not replace it with a denture, the remaining teeth will shift to occupy the empty space. Over time, the person’s jawbone can dislocate and cause severe pain in the jaw if it is left untreated.
Chronic Dry Mouth
As we get older, the less we salivate. A lack of saliva leads to many oral health problems as the mouth cannot flush out the contaminants and food particulates naturally anymore. Cancer treatments such as radiation therapy to the larynx and neck region are a common cause of the chronic dry mouth issue.
Tinted Teeth
Aging teeth don’t have the same dentin configuration they had as compared to one’s youth. Dentin is a structural tissue that supports the tooth’s enamel. After years, the dentin profile erodes which leads to a permanent yellow-black stain on the surface of the teeth.
Experience Senior Living At Terrabella Windsor Lake
TerraBella Windsor Lake is a retirement community that our residents call home. You will get the chance to enjoy a wide range of services and amenities. Come take part in our health and wellness classes, as well as the fun activities and events. This is where you can live the carefree and fulfilling life you have always dreamed about. Try it out for yourself today! Feel free to contact us for more information.
