Aging affects all your body's organs, tissues, and cells, including teeth and gums. Certain medical conditions that occur in old age and the medication used to treat them can also affect oral health. As you age, being conscious of your overall health is crucial. Many seniors neglect their oral health because they assume losing teeth is inevitable. They could not be further from the truth. If you observe the proper dental routine, you can preserve your teeth for your whole life.

Like any other body part, the mouth changes due to age. In the middle of the tooth, in a space known as the pulp, lie nerves, blood vessels, and lymph vessels. The pulp shrinks as you age, and your teeth become less sensitive to dental issues like cavities. Regular dental checkups can enable your dentist to identify teeth and gum issues before they become painful. Sometimes, dental problems do not hurt, and the damage will be extensive by the time you experience pain.

How Age Affects Your Oral Health

Specific changes occur in your body as you age:

  • Your tissues renew at a slower rate
  • Your bones tend to be less dense or strong
  • Tissues become less elastic and thinner
  • Your immune system is weakened, meaning infections develop quickly, and the healing process is slower.

These changes can affect the tissues and bones in your mouth, increasing the risk of poor oral health.

Why Dental Care For Older People Is Crucial

Seniors face many dental issues, including dry mouth and gum disease. Oral health affects overall health, so it must be taken seriously. Proper care of your teeth or gums is as crucial as respiratory or heart health.

Below are some of the reasons why dental healthcare in adults is crucial:

Poor Dental Health Can Cause Heart Disease

There is a significant connection between gum disease and heart disease. Good oral hygiene can prevent stroke, heart attacks, and other heart diseases. People suffering from gum disease are more likely to develop heart disease or coronary artery disease. Issues like gingivitis, missing teeth, or cavities are predictors of heart disease.

Diabetes

Periodontitis, or gum disease, can limit your body's insulin use. It has also been proven that high blood sugar can cause gum infections. Observing proper oral health and undergoing regular dental checkups can help you prevent the development of diabetes.

Pneumonia

There is a connection between poor oral health and pneumonia in older people. If bacteria droplets move from the mouth to the lungs, seniors can become more susceptible to pneumonia. Maintaining proper oral health is a great way to prevent the condition. Proper oral health is particularly crucial in caregiving situations or nursing homes. Older adults could be unable to care for their teeth, often relying on caregivers and staff to take care of them.

Darkened Teeth

The teeth contain a bone-like tissue known as dentin beneath the tooth enamel. The food and drinks you consume can stain your teeth as you age. With the thinning of your enamel, the stained dentin can show through, making your teeth appear darkened. Proper oral health can help brighten your teeth and help you maintain a radiant smile, even in old age.

Gum Disease

When food accumulates on your teeth, it forms plaque, which later hardens into tartar. These factors can cause gum disease. You are at an elevated risk of gum disease if you consume an unhealthy diet, use tobacco products, or have poor-fitting dentures or dental bridges. You are also at a higher risk of gum disease if you suffer from conditions like diabetes, cancer, or anemia. Gum disease can cause tooth loss and is linked to many other medical conditions. How can you know that you have gum disease? Here are the common symptoms of gum disease:

Bleeding in the gums, especially when you brush your teeth

  • Receding gums
  • Loose teeth
  • Bad breath/halitosis

You might not have all the signs outlined above. You could have gum disease even if you have one or two of these signs.

Root Decay

Root decay is common in elderly people. This results when teeth are exposed to acids from foods. As gum tissue recedes and roots become exposed, they will not have proper protection, making them more prone to decay. You can reduce your risk of root decay by visiting your dentist regularly and maintaining proper oral hygiene at home.

Dry Mouth

Older adults are at an increased risk of dry mouth, mainly due to aging and certain health conditions. Saliva is crucial to maintaining good oral health and keeping gums healthy. If the salivary glands in your mouth do not produce enough saliva, you could have problems tasting, swallowing, or chewing.

Other problems associated with a dry mouth include:

  • Mouth sores
  • Tooth decay and gum diseases
  • Thrush or yeast infection in your mouth

As you age, your mouth produces less saliva. Medical conditions associated with old age are also common causes of dry mouth. Medicine used to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure, depression, or pain can limit the production of saliva. Medication is probably the leading cause of dry mouth in old age. You could also develop a dry mouth due to cancer treatment. Your ability to produce saliva can also be affected by conditions like stroke, diabetes, and Sjögren syndrome.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is more common in men than in women, and it mainly occurs in people above the age of 45 years. The leading cause of oral cancer is smoking or using other types of tobacco. Consuming alcohol alongside tobacco also elevates the risk of developing oral cancer. Other factors that can increase the risk of having oral cancer include:

  • Infection with the human papillomavirus. This virus is the same that causes genital warts and other types of cancers
  • Poor oral or dental hygiene
  • Consuming medication that weakens your immune system, commonly referred to as immunosuppressants
  • Rubbing from dentures, rough teeth, or fillings over some time

Bad Breath

Seniors who suffer from dry mouth, gum disease, or dirty dentures could also have the issue of bad breath, commonly referred to as halitosis. Your dentist can help you manage this medical condition.

Tooth Loss

You will likely experience tooth loss in old age if you have not practiced proper oral health. Tooth loss can also result from gum disease. The good news is that you do not have to lose your teeth as you get older. Your dentist can preserve your teeth, provided you check your teeth regularly.

Tips To Maintain Your Oral Health In Old Age

Poor oral health can have severe implications on your health and overall well-being. After all, your dental health affects more than just your teeth and gums. Proper care of your teeth, especially as you age, is crucial. Here are some tips that can help you maintain proper oral health in your golden years:

Do Not Stop Brushing And Flossing

You probably know that brushing and flossing daily is the most effective way to care for your teeth. Even if these two basics are effective, you must adjust as you age. You must understand that your teeth and gums have undergone significant wear and tear and thus require a gentle approach. Plaque builds up much faster, and it is more challenging to get rid of after age 50. You cannot continue with the same dental care approach you used when you were young. Here is what we recommend for older adults:

  • Using an electric toothbrush — If you are not enjoying its benefits already, you should consider acquiring one. An electric toothbrush does a fantastic job of cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of the tooth. It also has a timer to ensure you brush for the recommended time. An electric toothbrush is better if you suffer from joint pain or arthritis because it is easy to hold.
  • Floss after meals — Consistent flossing is crucial because plaque builds up faster on older teeth. It is advisable to floss your teeth after every meal.
  • Use a soft-bristled brush or an electric brush. Whether you use a conventional or electric toothbrush, you should not use a rough toothbrush. When brushing, ensure that you do not use a heavy-handed approach. Instead, you should employ slow and gentle movements.
  • Go for a handheld flosser — You could find it challenging to use a normal floss. A handheld flosser is easier to hold and operate, enabling you to take a gentle approach to flossing and ensuring that you do not damage your gums.

Be Careful When Using Mouthwash

Mouthwash is good because it eliminates bacteria from your mouth. However, you might need to change your approach if you use mouthwash several times a day. Even if a mouthwash effectively prevents cavities and plaque buildup, it could upset your mouth's pH, causing a dry mouth. Since aging is often associated with a dry mouth, you should go slow on the mouthwash. Using mouthwash to rinse your mouth once before bedtime is sufficient. You could reap more benefits by going for the alcohol-free option.

Watch Out For The Side Effects Of Medication

If you are on any medication, the medication could be causing you issues with your dental health, especially a dry mouth. In addition to being annoying, a dry mouth could also jeopardize your dental health. A dry mouth enables plaque to adhere to your teeth, causing tooth decay and gum disease. If you are on a new medication, you should monitor its effects on your mouth or gums. Contact your dentist immediately if you notice drugs' adverse effects on your teeth.

Weigh Between Dental Implants And Dentures

If you have experienced tooth loss and are considering a tooth replacement option, you should not just assume that dentures are the go-to option. Dental implants often offer a more superior solution for tooth loss than dentures. Dental implants are a natural-looking, safe, and permanent restoration that resembles your natural teeth. Dental implants also give you good chewing ability and stabilize your jawbone. Talk to your dentist to find the best dental solution for your situation.

If you have dentures, taking good care of them is crucial. You should clean your dentures with a product designed specifically for them. You should also give your mouth regular breaks from dentures. You should keep dentures out of your mouth for at least four hours a day. The best time to remove your dentures is when you are sleeping. 

Consume a Lot of Water

You should drink a lot of water and avoid soda. Conventional citrus juices and sodas contain a lot of sugar. Consuming too many sugary drinks increases the acidity levels in your mouth, making your tooth enamel weak and prone to cavities. You should choose water over sugary drinks whenever you need to drink something. Water has many health benefits. You should drink a lot of it. It rinses away the food particles from your mouth and dilutes the mouth's acidity. Water also helps to prevent a dry mouth.

Manage Gum Disease

Old age significantly increases the risk of diabetes. If you suffer from diabetes, you should monitor your gum health. People who suffer from diabetes are more susceptible to gum disease. Treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar levels and reduce the progression of diabetes.

Maintain a close relationship with your dentist and make regular dental appointments to improve your smile and manage diabetes.

Find An Experienced Dentist Near Me

In addition to properly caring for your teeth at home, it is crucial to visit your dentist regularly. Regular dental appointments allow your dentist to identify and work on dental issues before they progress. Even if you have neglected your dental health at some point, it is not too late to take control of your dental health. At La Puente Advanced Dentistry, we offer high-quality dental services for seniors. Our dentist offers personalized and friendly dental services at an affordable cost. We take pride in being the go-to dentists for seniors. Contact us at 626-626-7075 to speak to one of our dentists.