| Three Oral Health Issues Facing Seniors |
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Older individuals seem to have many more medical issues than the general population, and this is also true when it comes to oral health. By better understanding three of the most common oral health issues that seniors face, you and your loved ones can take the steps to prevent them.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is an infection of the gums and tissues that hold the teeth into place. While people of any age can develop gum disease, it tends to worsen with age. During the early stages the condition tends to be painless, and many people might not even realize that they have it. However, advanced cases can lead to receding gums, painful chewing, and tooth loss, and this is increasingly common in older people. The end result could be the need for partial or full dentures or dental implants to combat tooth loss.
Dry Mouth
Many seniors are living with dry mouth, which means that saliva flow has been reduced. In many cases, the medications that older people take for chronic illnesses cause dry mouth. Common drugs that can cause this condition include blood pressure medications, antidepressants, drugs for incontinence, and diuretics. Dry mouth can contribute to an increase in cavities and tooth decay.
Cavities
Many people are under the impression that cavities are only problems for kids, but this simply isn’t the case. In fact, tooth decay is common for people over the age of 65, possibly because people of this age don’t visit their dentist as frequently. Therefore, cavities are going undetected and untreated. Visiting our office every six months can go a long way in preventing cavities regardless of age. |
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| Keeping a Healthy Smile During the Holidays
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With sweets aplenty and the large meals about ready to start hitting the tables, the holidays are finally here. Candy, cake and holiday feasts have that tendency to make you tired and sometimes it’s easy to go to bed without brushing and flossing. With presents and relatives on your mind, it's easy to let things like dental hygiene slip through the cracks.
One of the issues we see a lot of is gingivitis and more serious ailments of the gums like periodontitis. Issues like these can lead to soft tissue damage and even bone loss - when left untreated they can end up digging into that holiday bonus. After all, surgery to repair bone and gum issues can be costly! Issues with the gums can easily lead to tooth loss as well, which is something no one wants to deal with.
Make certain to give us a call today: we might be able to get you on the calendar before the end of the year, or at least close to it! We want to make sure that your mouth makes it through the holidays as happy and healthy as the rest of you! |
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| Are You at Risk of Developing Oral Cancer? |
Being evaluated for oral cancer becomes increasingly important as you age. In addition to getting older, there are some other risks that may increase your chances of being diagnosed with oral cancer.
Be sure to keep your twice yearly appointments with our office so we can help you be aware of any potential abnormalities or trouble spots. The earlier we can identify oral cancer, the better your chances of successful treatment. Call us today if you have questions about how we test for oral cancer during your regular exam. |
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