We all know the drill – brush, floss, rinse, and visit your dentist on a regular basis. But for older adults, this routine becomes vitally important in maintaining their oral health through the aging process.
Unfortunately, many older adults find themselves lacking routine dental care.
And before they know it, they’re experiencing the pain and risk associated with some of the worst conditions, such as gum disease or root decay.
Luckily, by identifying the challenges of older adults and putting plans in place to mitigate the risk, your teeth can age gracefully just like you!
3 Causes of Older Adult Dental Issues
While dental issues can plague us at any point in our lives, older adults face a unique set of challenges that make maintaining their oral health a top priority.
Wear & Tear
If you’re an older adult, that means your teeth are, too. Just like the rest of the body, your oral health ages with you. Through previous issues or natural recession, gums can recede from the teeth, making easy places for sneaky plaque to hide. This plaque can lead to cavities, root decay, infection, or even more severe problems.
Additionally, previous dental work from years past can degrade. For example, crowns may chip or caps may develop small crevices that make it more difficult for you to clean with your regular brushing and flossing.
Sometimes fillings can fall out without your knowledge, especially if you don’t experience pain. Bacteria can sneak into these areas and cause big issues if not properly cleaned by a dental professional.
Medications & Comorbidities
Many older adults are on one or more prescription medications, and these can have side effects that actually affect your dental health. For example, some medications cause severe dry mouth. Without saliva, it’s easier for bacteria to grow, which can lead to bad breath or even gum disease, especially when combined with natural gum recession.
For some older adults, their immune system begins to decline with age. Without the body’s ability to fight off diseases and bacteria, oral health can also suffer.
For example, a problem with an older adult’s tooth might turn into a major dental emergency, like an infected abscess, far faster than a younger patient. Additionally, once an issue does arise, a weakened immune system can make for much slower healing, which is a longer window for setbacks to occur.
Dental Access
As adults age, they may require more support to get to and from needed appointments. Whether they don’t have the support at all or simply don’t want to ask, routine visits may fall by the wayside. This can be compounded if there are other visits deemed more important, such as appointments for major chronic conditions.
Without easy access for scheduled dental checks, older adults are susceptible to longer gaps between visits, which can lead to increased risk of problems.
Further, some may lose access to quality insurance they had through employment or other means as they enter retirement age. Older adults may find themselves making budgetary choices in balancing their dental health with other areas of their lives.
Prevention Is the Best Medicine
Because of these challenges, it’s vital that older adults find ways to keep their oral health a priority just as high as the remainder of their body. Regular dental visits ensure that gums remain healthy and teeth are cleaned thoroughly.
Additionally, it allows for dentists to spot potential issues, such as loose fillings, and fix them before they cause a problem. Finally, these visits allow for preventative measures, such as prescribing special mouthwashes for those experiencing dry mouth.
Dental Care at Every Stage of Life
While dental health is important during all phases of life, older adults face a unique set of challenges in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Whether they are experiencing issues from normal aging, previous dental work, medications, or overall access to quality care, older adults are at a risk of small problems turning big quickly. Gum disease, root decay, or even oral cancers can be missed without consistent care.
At Sedki Dentistry in Commerce, we provide compassionate dental care tailored to the changing needs of older adults. From routine exams and cleanings to dentures, dental implants, restorative treatments, and emergency dental care, we are here to help you maintain a healthy, comfortable smile. Contact Sedki Dentistry today!