Oral Health Issues Among Older Adults

Oral Health Issues Among Older Adults

179691514Older adults experience a higher risk for certain oral health issues, which means that it’s all the more important to stay on top of regular dental visits. Keep reading to learn about some of these issues and what you can do to avoid them later in life.
Tooth Decay
Older adults can experience issues with tooth decay that cause major problems for their oral health. Some people have trouble brushing their teeth effectively as they age, which can increase their risk of developing tooth decay. A lot of medications that older adults take cause dry mouth as a side effect, which can also increase the risk for decay. Oral hygiene is especially important in your later years. Keep up with regular dental appointments to ensure that your teeth and gums are as healthy as possible.
Gum Disease
A lot of older adults develop gum disease. This infection in the gums and the surrounding tissues can cause a lot of oral health problems. Without the proper treatment, gum disease can destroy the tissues and bone fibers that hold the teeth into place. This might cause teeth to loosen or even fall out. Gum disease can also increase the chance for other health issues such as heart disease. Make sure to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day to try to lower your risk for developing gum disease.
Dry Mouth
The body produces saliva to naturally clear out the mouth and reduce the risk for tooth decay and periodontal disease. A lot of older adults experience dry mouth as a result of medications, disease, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or nerve damage. If you have dry mouth, it is important to visit your dentist to try to find a solution for the issue.
John R. Carson, DDS can help you prevent serious oral health issues at any stage of life. With preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services, our office is here to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. To learn more about our treatments or to schedule your next appointment, visit us at our website or call (520) 514-7203.