About two in three adults aged 65 and older have gum disease in the United States.1 Although most older adults pay close attention to their heart health, blood pressure, and other age-related health conditions, not many know that the health of their oral structures changes with age. Failing to address those issues eventually leads to the development of oral health issues. Your family dentist in Webster offers information on what to watch for as you age.
How Aging Affects Oral Health
Aging causes many changes in your oral structures, including your teeth. A lifetime of chewing and drinking leaves its mark on your teeth. Acidic and sugary foods wear away at your tooth enamel, making your teeth vulnerable to bacteria. Wear and tear can also lead to cracks. This increases the chances of bacteria finding their way into your dentin, tooth root, and gums.
Because the roots of your teeth tend to lose sensitivity with age, you may not notice infections until they’re advanced. You may also experience gum recession, exposing more of the tooth root, which gives bacteria a greater amount of surface to adhere to and damage. These factors make it more likely to develop tooth decay and other oral health concerns — which can quickly lead to severe general health conditions.
A common issue people face as they grow older is a reduction in their saliva output. This development can occur due to illnesses or a side effect of taking certain medications. Your teeth and other oral structures depend on your saliva to fight off bacteria and even remineralize teeth. Without it, tooth decay is more likely to happen.
Aging doesn’t only affect your teeth. Periodontal disease is another concern for aging adults, causing receding gum lines, loose teeth, and jawbone erosion. Periodontal disease is the most common reason older people lose teeth. Although age itself doesn’t cause the condition, it can go undetected for many years, leading to severe issues later in life.
Oral Health: How It Impacts Overall Well-Being
Your oral health is inextricably linked to your overall well-being. Issues like gum inflammation may be linked to diseases like:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Upper Respiratory Disease
When bacteria build up in your gums, they can travel through your bloodstream and trigger inflammation in tissues and organs.
Diabetes may cause a cycle in which increased amount of bacteria in your mouth cause inflammation, which in turn increases your body’s resistance to insulin. This makes it more difficult for you to keep your blood sugar levels under control. Increased blood sugar levels translate into more sugars in your saliva, which bacteria feed on, causing further damage in your mouth.
Maintain Oral Health as You Age
To enjoy healthy oral structures as you enter your golden years, perhaps the most important thing to remember is to keep up with your oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth twice daily, opting for soft-bristled brushes and fluoride toothpaste. Another concern for aging adults is mobility, which may prevent you from correctly brushing or flossing. In these cases, you can turn to electric toothbrushes.
Healthy Diet
You should choose to follow a healthy diet, too. By limiting acidic or sugary foods and drinks, you help prevent the wearing down of tooth enamel. This doesn’t mean you must eliminate these foods from your diet. Instead, you should pay attention to how much you consume and brush your teeth soon after doing so to minimize damage.
Stop Smoking
If you smoke, it’s essential to stop. Smoking causes inflammation, putting you at a higher risk of developing plaque, which leads to the breakdown of enamel and tooth decay. It also puts your gums at risk because smoking reduces the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream, making it more difficult for infections in your gums to heal.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated by drinking water is another crucial step you can take to maintain your oral health. Water helps remove food particles and wash away bacteria, making it more difficult for plaque to form. Drinking water also helps if you experience dry mouth issues.
Regular Checkups With A Family Dentist in Webster
Another critical thing to remember is to get regular checkups with your family dentist in Webster. Because you cannot see everything in your mouth like your dentist can, getting your dentist to monitor your oral structures significantly affects your oral health. Many oral health concerns can be reversed if caught early, so keep up with your appointments. For most people, this means visiting your dentist twice a year.
Your dentist may recommend more frequent visits if you are prone to specific oral health issues. Something to keep in mind is to let your dentist know of any new medications you begin taking. Medications often have side effects like dry mouth, so making your dentist aware of what you’ve been prescribed will make it easier for them to offer tips on avoiding tooth damage.
Visit a Family Dentist in Webster
Growing older doesn’t have to mean struggling with serious oral health issues like periodontal disease. There are many steps you can take to prevent damage to your teeth and oral structures, including:
- Keeping an excellent oral care routine at home
- Improving your diet
- Hydrating more
- Visiting your dentist more often
When you take the time to pay attention to your oral health, you’re more likely to catch issues before they get worse, enhancing your overall health levels as a result.
At Empire Dental Care, we offer services for people of all ages who want to improve their oral health. We provide preventive, cosmetic, and general dentistry services to aid you in managing existing conditions and avoiding diseases that can lower your quality of life. Contact us at Empire Dental Care to schedule an appointment at 585-671-1650.
Sources:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/adult_older.htm
