As people age, their dental needs change. Seniors face unique dental care challenges, from gum disease to missing teeth. This is the reason why senior dental care in Markham is important.
Why is dental care important for seniors?
It’s no secret that dental care is important for everyone, regardless of their age. However, when it comes to seniors, proper oral hygiene for the elderly is especially crucial. Oral health problems are one of the leading causes of disability in adults.
Here are just a few reasons why seniors need to take good care of their teeth and gums:
- Poor oral health can lead to other health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes.
- Dental issues can make it difficult for seniors to eat and drink properly, which can lead to malnutrition or dehydration.
- Oral infections can be extremely painful and difficult to treat.
- Dental neglect can cause tooth decay and even loss.
What are the most common dental problems that seniors face?
As people age, their bodies start to change and so do their dental needs. Seniors face a unique set of dental problems that can range from tooth decay to gum disease.
To keep seniors’ teeth healthy and bright, it is important to be aware of the most common dental problems seniors face. Here are just a few examples:
1. Darkened teeth
The darkened teeth can be caused by the changes in the bone-like tissue called dentin. This results from consuming stain-causing foods and beverages over time.
2. Reduced sense of taste
With advancing age, the sense of taste will diminish. This is because of the acquired medications through time and disease which reduce the older people’s ability to taste. The patient doesn’t experience any change at first but as time goes by they will notice a change in their taste and feel like the tongue is not functioning anymore.
3. Dry mouth
Dry mouth can be caused by many different things, but it’s most often related to reduced saliva flow. Dryness in your spit may result from cancer treatments that use radiation near the head and neck area. Some medications also cause this side effect which makes anyone prone to losing tooth enamel more than usual.
4. Gum disease
It is a serious problem for many people. Gum disease can be caused by plaque and made worse through the use of tobacco products, poor-fitting bridges or dentures, and lack of vitamins C and D.
5. Root decay
It is a condition where the tooth roots become exposed due to gum tissue receding from it. The roots do not have any enamel protecting them and are more prone to acidity than crown parts of teeth which makes these areas extremely vulnerable to pitfalls into cavities.
6. Tooth loss
It is an inevitable part of old age. You may notice that your teeth are becoming less strong, or they might fall out completely due to natural causes such as gum disease.
7. Stomatitis
The symptoms of denture sores are related to an inflammation of the tissue underlying the false teeth. This can be caused by ill-fitting dentures and poor dental hygiene practices.
Dental care tips for elderly
Dental care for elderly people is important, but it can be difficult to know what to do. Seniors are more likely to experience tooth decay and gum disease, so it’s crucial to take extra steps to protect the teeth.
- Brush daily.
- Do not skip flossing.
- Rinse mouth with mouthwash.
- Take calcium supplements to make teeth stronger.
- As much as possible, reduce sugar consumption.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Schedule visits with the dentist regularly.
Takeaway
The importance of senior dental care should be prioritized. Your Markham dentist can help ensure that the teeth are clean and healthy. Plus, they’ll be able to guide how to care for your teeth as you age. Schedule a visit today!
