Comprehensive guide on dental health and care for seniors

96% of seniors have cavities. Moreover, almost 50% of those over 75 have root decay. This is one of the most common elderly dental problems. It shows up as permanently damaged areas on the hard, outer area of the tooth or the cementum. With time, small holes and openings form.

If left untreated for too long, cavities may lead to further complications, such as sensitivity, abscesses, and increased risk of breakage. The only way to save the tooth may be to visit an emergency dentist near you and act immediately.

A much more reasonable solution is seeing the dentist regularly for exams and cleanings. These routine procedures allow them to catch cavities when they are smaller, easier, and cheaper to fix.

Causes:

• poor oral hygiene,
• dry mouth,
• sugary and acidic foods,
• smoking,
• drinking alcohol frequently,
• consuming a lot of sugar,
• a diet rich in acidic fruit,
• age-related diseases and conditions,
• certain medications.

Treatment:

• counteraction to the above-mentioned reasons,
• tooth remineralization,
• a professional teeth cleaning,
• dental fillings,
• dental crowns,
• onlays/inlays.

64% of older adults have gum disease. Untreated periodontitis (gum disease) causes bone loss and makes soft tissues pull away from teeth, creating empty spaces around them. If this is especially severe, dentition can become mobile and loose over time. That’s why this is a leading reason for tooth loss.

Bacteria and food debris then accumulates in the empty “pockets” and causes painful infections. The most common symptoms are inflammation, bad breath, and bleeding when brushing or flossing teeth.

Gum disease can also be responsible for many general conditions, among them heart issues.

Causes:

• poor oral hygiene,
• smoking,
• anemia,
• cancer,
• diabetes.

Treatment:

• visit a dentist for a therapeutic scaling and root planing,
• improve oral hygiene.

19% of adults aged 65 or older have no teeth. The average older adult has 19 teeth. Tooth loss strongly affects nutrition. People without natural teeth tend to avoid some foods, including raw fruits and vegetables.

Visible dentition defects can also lower self-esteem and make people less social. This is particularly true as lack of teeth clearly alters the shape of the face, making people look older.

Tooth loss is not a natural part of aging, contrary to what some might think. It is perfectly plausible to have natural dentition as a senior. Edentulism is a result of dental issues that can and should be treated.

Nonetheless, one of the dental facts you should be aware of is that smokers are 4 times as likely to lose their teeth.

Causes:

• gum disease,
• tooth decay,
• smoking,
• trauma.

Treatment:

• replace missing teeth with dentures, bridges, or implants.

27% of elders experience dry mouth. Reduced saliva flow is more common among seniors than in any other age group. Lack of saliva puts you at a much higher risk of getting gum disease, cavities, and other mouth infections. It also leads to trouble with speaking, swallowing, and wearing dentures.

Causes:

• cancer treatment,
• side effect of many medications,
• chronic diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease,
• using tobacco,
• dehydration.

Treatment:

• stay hydrated,
• avoid alcoholic mouthwash,
• suck on sugar-free candies or gum,
• breathe through your nose,
• use Biotene or other OTC products for dry mouth,
• cholinergic medications.

50-65% of removable denture wearers have thrush. This issue is characterized by a white rash inside the mouth. It is a yeast infection, which can also occur in other places on the body. The candida fungus resides in your mouth naturally, but some medications can upset the balance, causing this condition.

Causes:

• corticosteroids or antibiotics intake (common after dental surgery),
• smoking,
• uncontrolled diabetes,
• poor oral hygiene,
• not removing/cleaning your prosthesis daily.

Treatment:

• antifungal medications that you take for 10-14 days,
• removing and cleaning the prosthesis daily.

The age between 60 and 70 is the peak of oral cancer incidence. Oral cancer shows up in the mouth as a sore or lump that doesn’t go away. It can focus on any soft tissues including the tongue, cheeks, lips, the palate, and the pharynx. Early diagnosis is vital, as this does not have to be a life-threatening disease.

Oral cancer is the eighth most common type in the world.

Causes:

• tobacco use,
• excessive drinking of alcohol,
• family history of cancer,
• HPV.

Treatment:

• surgery to remove the lesion followed by radiation,
• or chemotherapy.