For seniors, hygiene, flossing essential

You’re only given one set of teeth to last through adulthood, making senior dental care crucial. Just like the other bones in your body, your teeth weaken with age and use.

Age is the primary cause for darkened, decaying teeth and roots, but other health problems related to old age can affect dental health. Diseases like arthritis can make brushing and flossing difficult. Drugs for certain medical conditions can affect oral health, too.

One of the most common oral care problems for seniors is gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque and can be aggravated by food left behind in teeth. Tobacco use, ill-fitting dentures or bridges and diseases like diabetes and cancer can also contribute to gum disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for seniors. Symptoms of gum disease include swollen, tender gums, gums that bleed after brushing, persistent bad breath, receding gum line, loose teeth or changes in the way teeth fit together.

Gum disease treatments vary on the stage of gum disease, which requires an evaluation by a dentist. Treatments for less severe stages include therapy to control bacteria growth. In more advanced cases, surgery to restore tissue may be an option. 

The good news is gum disease can usually be prevented with proper plaque control. Proper plaque control includes regular dental cleanings and daily brushing and flossing. Antibacterial mouth rinse can also help reduce the bacteria that causes gum disease, according to the American Dental Association.

Many seniors wear dentures, helping them to eat foods that could be difficult to eat with missing teeth and allowing them to feel confident if their teeth have darkened. Though dentures can be helpful, they can also be a contributing factor to oral health issues. Ill-fitting dentures can cause denture-induced stomatitis. Stomatitis is an all-encompassing term for an inflamed and sore mouth, including canker sores (also known as ulcers), cold sores and various mouth irritations.

One of the ways to prevent dentureinduced stomatitis is to improve the fit of one’s dentures. Many with dentures suffer from painful rubbing or are forced to avoid certain foods because the dentures can move or pop out. Dr. Andrew Simpson of South Shreveport Dental offers dental stabilization to avoid these inconveniences. Dental stabilization involves dental implants, which are titanium posts. The dental implants are secured to the patient’s jawbone. The dentures are then fitted with pieces that snap into place with implants. This keeps dentures secure, allowing patients to eat whatever they want and avoid stomatitis.

A dry mouth is more than just an annoying inconvenience. Dry mouth leads to reduced saliva, and saliva helps to prevent tooth decay by flushing food and acid off teeth. Cancer treatments, such as radiation, as well as several types of medication can lead to dry mouth, a common oral health concern for seniors. Daily brushing and flossing as well as dental checkups are key for those with dry mouth. Those with dry mouth should brush – or at least rinse – following every meal. A doctor can prescribe medicine to treat dry mouth. Over the counter remedies can also help, as well as sugar-free hard candy or gum.

Seniors should alert their dentists of any lumps, discomfort, swelling, difficulty tasting, bleeding, difficulty chewing and swallowing and sensitivity when they go in for checkups. Just like people of all ages, seniors should brush and floss daily and make regular appointments with their dentist.