Taking care of your oral health is crucial during all stages of life, but it will be important to take extra care of your teeth as you age. This is because aging makes your teeth more sensitive, which could lead to more dental problems. This happens because your mouth changes as you age, and the nerves around your teeth and gums become smaller, making the teeth less sensitive to cavities and other problems.

Many people believe that losing your teeth is inevitable as you advance in age, which is not always the case. If you care for your teeth properly, they can last a lifetime. Failure to make regular dental visits could result in late detection of dental issues and lower the chances of successful correction of the issues. This blog will help you understand how dental health interacts with age and how this will help you or your loved one stay healthy.

Common Oral Health Complications Associated with Aging

Advancing in age puts many seniors at risk of several oral health problems and therefore need more care. Common oral health complications associated with aging include:

Tooth Discoloration

White teeth have become a common cosmetic procedure, thus increasing the constant need for teeth whitening. Teeth discoloration may result from several factors, such as smoking and prolonged medication use. However, darkening the teeth could also be a natural effect of aging. As you grow older, the enamel covering your tooth may begin to wear off, exposing the darker dentin. This will cause your teeth to appear more grey or yellow instead of white.

As you age, you may develop health complications that could require you to be on constant medication. This in itself causes tooth discoloration, and no one is too old to desire a great smile with white teeth. Therefore, if tooth discoloration is a concern, you should not hesitate to consult with your Los Angeles dentist to discuss your options.

Periodontal Disease

Gum disease in older adults is caused by a buildup of bacteria and plaque on the surface of the teeth and gums. This could result in bleeding of the gums, bad breath, and worst call loosening of teeth. As with any medical disorder, the risk of developing gum disease increases with age. Gum disease in older adults is a major concern since the condition could be linked to heart disease. As you age, many people often have more artificial teeth and could be tempted to ignore their oral health.

Due to the decreased sensitivity associated with aging, it may be difficult to detect the presence of gum disease in its early stages. Therefore, it is crucial to make regular dental visits to ensure that you are taking the best care of your oral health. Some of the symptoms associated with gum disease in older adults include:

  • Bad breath
  • Pain when chewing
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks
  • Receding gums
  • Bad taste in your mouth
  • Sore and bleeding gums

As an older adult, you can prevent periodontal disease by maintaining a consistent hygiene routine, which includes regular brushing and flossing. Also, regular dental checkups are essential in maintaining your oral health as you age. If you have been diagnosed with the condition, you must follow through with the treatment to help avoid further damage and health consequences associated with gum disease.

Oral Cancer

Cancer of the mouth is common in older adults. Oral cancer is divided into one that occurs in the oral cavity and another one that occurs in the middle region of the throat. Early detection of oral cancer will ensure better treatment outcomes and keep you or your loved one from becoming one of the people whose lives are claimed by oral cancer each year.

Cancer that develops in the oral cavity could be common on the floor of your mouth, the gums, and the lining of your cheeks. Some of the symptoms of oral cancer that you need to look out for include:

  • Irritation or mouth sores that do not go away 
  • Tenderness, pain, and numbness of your lips and mouth
  • A rough spot, thickening a lump on an area of the mouth
  • White or red patches 
  • Change in the fit of your teeth when you close your mouth
  • Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw
  • Sore throat

During your regular dental exams, your dentist will inquire about the changes in your medical history. The dentist will then check your oral cavity to check for any abnormalities. Even when a dentist notices something suspicious, they cannot tell if it is cancer without further examination.

One of the most important things you need to learn is your risk of developing these conditions. If you smoke or have a history of excessive drinking of alcohol, you may need to change these habits so that you can decrease your susceptibility to oral cancer.

Tips for Improving and Maintaining Oral Health for Older Adults 

Getting old means that you are at risk of developing different oral health complications. The following are some tips that you can use to avoid dental complications and maintain a healthy mouth.

Drink Plenty of Water to prevent Cavities

One of the main causes of tooth cavities is bacteria developing in a dry mouth. Dry mouth is caused by prolonged use of medications or cancer therapy. Taking plenty of water helps avoid a dry mouth and clean the bacteria from your mouth. Also, it would be wise to avoid alcohol intake since it contributes to dehydration.

Brush and Floss Daily

When food particles are not removed from your teeth and gums, they could combine with bacteria and form a sticky film that is more difficult to remove. The buildup of plaque and tartar can irritate the gums, leading to more oral health complications. Therefore, regular brushing and flossing are essential.

Use Oral Health Tools to Prevent Pain

When you do not adequately care for your oral health, you could experience pain when brushing or flossing. As an older adult, you may experience discomfort during your normal routine due to arthritis or other dexterity issues. You can use an electric toothbrush that allows you to have better control when brushing. Also, flossing could be easier with water floss.

Frequently Asked Questions on Dental Care for Older Adults

Your gums and teeth work hard for you your whole life. However, like other systems in your body, your teeth will need extra attention. Even if you take good care of your gums and teeth, it is important to understand more about the oral health problems you could face and how to prevent or handle them. The following are some frequently asked questions on oral health for older adults:

  1. Can I get cavities when I am older?

Many people believe that cavities only develop in children, which is not the case, and cavities are common even for adults. Some of the reasons why adults could develop cavities include:

  • Dry mouth. As you age, your health is more likely to fail, and you may be on constant medication, which could result in a dry mouth. Also, some medical conditions could result in decreased saliva in your mouth. Saliva does more than keep the mouth wet. It protects your mouth from sores, infections. With a dry mouth, your mouth is more prone to bacteria that build up on your teeth, causing decay and cavities.
  • Damaged tooth fillings. As you age, the procedures on your teeth could begin to wear out. Old and damaged tooth fillings are a prime spot for decay and cavities.
  • Fluoride was not always an ingredient in water and toothpaste. Therefore, if you did not get enough fluoride in the early years, your teeth could suffer as you age.
  • Receding gums. As we age, our gums will tend to recede, which will leave the roots of our teeth exposed. Without the protection of the gums, the tooth enamel will be more susceptible to decay.

 

  1. Can older adults get braces?

There is no age limit for correcting your misaligned teeth. Braces are used to improve your appearance and correct your bite. Today, older adults have more options when it comes to fitting races. There are several types of adult braces, and each offers advantages and disadvantages:

  • Conventional braces. Braces were made of a metal band around every tooth in the past. Today, the conventional braces hold wires with a single bracket that is cemented on the front tooth and a few bands to anchor the wires in the back. Sometimes, conventional braces are made of a tooth-colored ceramic material instead of metal. Aligning your teeth is faster when using conventional braces, but they are more noticeable.
  • Self-ligating braces. With the self-ligating braces, the wire will be made to pass through a metal clip on the bracket. This eliminates the need for an elastic band to aid in tooth movement.
  • Lingual braces. Lingual braces are often similar to conventional ones, but the brackets in lingual braces are cemented on the backside. One of the main advantages of lingual braces is that they are invisible. However, they may be more costly compared to other options.

 

  1. Why are my teeth very sensitive?

As you age, many issues could arise with your teeth, and tooth sensitivity is one. If you are afraid to take cold or hot drinks due to the fear of pain that comes with tooth sensitivity, it would be wise to seek immediate dental care. Sometimes, tooth sensitivity may be a sign of more serious issues like:

  • Shrinking gums. If you are above forty years and experience tooth sensitivity, it may signify naturally shrinking gums. When gums shrink, they tear and pull away from the tooth uncovering the roots. This will cause your teeth to be more sensitive.
  • A cracked tooth. Tooth cracks may result from accidents or other conditions that damage your tooth enamel. A tooth crack may go all the way to your root, after which you could notice pain when you take cold or hot foods. Your dentist may be able to provide different options to treat the cracked teeth depending on the severity of the crack.
  • Gum disease. Gum disease begins when tartar and plaque form on your teeth, making your gums pull back. Gum disease destroys the bones supporting your teeth, causing the teeth to be sensitive.

You can avoid the issues of tooth sensitivity that arise with aging by using these solutions:

  • Take care of your e The tooth enamel is the hard part of the tooth that strengthens it allowing the teeth to ensure the pressure of biting and chewing. When the enamel is damaged, the nerves of your teeth may be exposed and increase sensitivity. If you care for your enamel, you can avoid the sensitivity. 
  • Avoid brushing your teeth too hard. When you use a toothbrush with rough bristles to brush your teeth, you may be removing more than just the plaque. Brushing too hard could damage your gum which exposes the tooth root.
  • Avoid acidic drinks or foods. Stick, sugary and acidic foods often attract bacteria to your teeth. Instead, you can opt for healthy snacks like milk, cheese, fruits, and vegetables. These foods moisten your mouth to help fight bacteria.

 

  1. What does prolonged smoking mean for my overall oral health?

Individuals with a lengthy history of smoking have an increased risk of developing gum problems, tooth loss, and complications associated with oral surgery. Smokers have lower immunity than nonsmokers and will experience a slower healing rate after tooth extraction and other oral invasive procedures. If you have a history of smoking, it would be wise to make regular dental visits, and this will help detect and treat oral health conditions before they cause irreparable damage.

Some of the most common oral health conditions associated with prolonged smoking include:

  • Tooth decay
  • Periodontal gum disease
  • Decreased taste
  • Bad breath
  • Mouth cancer
  • Tooth loss

You can avoid the above complications by

  • Quitting smoking. Smoking is addictive and may be challenging to stop. However, seeking expert guidance will help you stop gradually.
  • Make regular dental visits
  • Regular brushing of your teeth with fluoride toothpaste
  • Drink plenty of water to avoid a dry mouth with a common cause of dental health issues

 

  1. Why do my dentures feel uncomfortable?

Dentures are often used to replace teeth that have been damaged by gum disease and decay. It is normal for the gums and bones that support your mouth to change shape as you age, making your dentures feel loose and uncomfortable.

Although natural changes in your gums could cause pain and discomfort from dentures, there are health conditions common among elders that could impact the dentures. These conditions are:

  • Elevated blood sugar. Having diabetes increases your risk of developing gum disease, which can be painful and affect denture fitting. High blood sugar often develops as you age, and managing it would be important to help avoid complications with your dentures.
  • A side effect of cancer treatment. Chemotherapy drugs and radiation directed to your head and neck could significantly affect your oral health, like dry mouth and inflammation of the gums. This could cause damage to your dentures.

Like other dental procedures, dentures may require constant refitting over the years. Your dentist may suggest the following techniques to remedy denture fit issues:

  • Reeling your dentures. Reeling involves adding an acrylic layer to the base of your dentures to help them fit the shape of the gums.
  • Recasting dentures. If aging has changed the shape of your mouth significantly, a denture base may be the best idea to improve the fit of your dentures. Since the artificial teeth are custom made, it would be cheaper to replace just the base.
  • Dental implants. Implants to secure dentures have become a common and effective solution for poorly fitting dentures. This procedure helps in stabilization and avoiding movement when you chew.

Many elders often have several artificial teeth. It is a common misconception that you need to take less care of dentures when compared to natural teeth. Older adults with artificial teeth must still practice proper oral hygiene:

  • Like natural teeth, tartar and plaque can easily develop on your dentures. Therefore, you need to clean them every day
  • It would be best to use toothpaste and a toothbrush specially designed for dentures
  • Dentures are delicate and can easily break. Broken or cracked dentures may not fit properly and can cause discomfort

Find a Hawthorne Dentist Near Me

As you age, you can experience several dental complications. The presence of other health issues and general neglect of your oral health could significantly contribute to these complications. Having the proper dental plan is critical in maintaining oral health in older adults. As part of your dental care routine, you may need to make regular dental visits to help detect complications and treat them early on to avoid further complications.

Your oral health is often a sensitive matter, and you do not want to entrust it to just any person. If you or your elderly loved one experiences symptoms linked to oral health issues, we invite you to contact Ganji Dental at 310-643-8045. We provide customized dental services to all patients in Hawthorne, CA.