Just like the rest of your body, with age, your mouth may become more prone to dental issues and conditions. Fortunately, there are ways that you can keep your teeth, gums and oral health at optimal condition at any age. Practicing good oral hygiene techniques, maintaining routine dental treatments and making positive lifestyle choices are all great ways to ensure your teeth last a lifetime!
Common Senior Dental Conditions
A lot of our elderly patients at our dental office ask if they are the only ones that seem to be experiencing more dental issues as they age. This unfortunately is not the case, a large majority of senior citizens experience increased dental issues. Some of these common senior dental issues include:
- Dry Mouth – Dry mouth is an extremely common dental condition in elderly patients. They experience a decreased saliva production due to age and often as a side effect of medications and other medical conditions. Without adequate saliva production, patients are more prone to infection, decay and disease.
- Gum Disease – Periodontal gum disease is another common oral condition seen in our elderly patients. As they age, gingivitis can progress into advanced periodontitis. This can lead to severe infections, abscesses and even the loss of teeth.
- Tooth Decay – Tooth decay is common in Americans of all age, but especially in senior patients. This can be due to a variety of reasons but ultimately can lead to an increase in cavities, infection and even the loss of teeth.
Elderly Dental Tips
- Make sure you brush at least twice a day.
- Make sure floss at least once a day.
- Consider using mouthwash.
- Purchase an electric toothbrush.
- Quit using tobacco products.
- Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables for minerals and vitamins.
Most important of all is maintaining routine dental care at Renken Dentistry. We can examine your oral health and clean the areas you may miss. Any issues that are noticed can be treated immediately to avoid further complications.
