Senior citizens oral health and care

ORAL HEALTH IN SENIOR CITIZENS

As people grow older certain health concerns need our full attention especially the oral health.

Good oral health is an integral part of the overall health.

Old age shows number of oral health problems :

1) Periodontal disease:

Poor oral hygiene or high levels of dental plaque are associated with severity of periodontal disease.

Gum disease worsens if there is poor fitting dentures and in certain diseases such as diabetes, cancer.
Periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss.

2) Tooth loss:

Severe dental caries and periodontal disease are the major reasons for the tooth loss.

3) Denture related lesions:

Denture stomatitis is the inflammation of tissues underlying the dentures.
Ill fitting dentures, improper usage of denture and poor oral hygiene causes denture stomatitis.

DENTURE STOMATITIS

Denture hyperplasia is the overgrowth of tissues under the dentures.

Traumatic ulcers seen with overextended dentures or unbalanced occlusion .

ULCERATION IN DENTURE BEARING AREA.

4) Root caries:

Tooth roots are more prone to decay.
In periodontal disease the roots will be exposed outside because of gum recession, as a result root caries come on the exposed root.

5) Dry mouth:

Dry mouth/Xerostomia comes from ageing and by usage of some medications.
Dry mouth causes dental caries and chewing,eating & communicating difficulties.
Smoking is another risk factor of dry mouth.
Dry mouth is mostly seen in patients treated for hypertension, psychiatric or urinary problems.

6) Bone resorption:

Bone resorption results from tooth loss and not replacing a missing teeth.

Oral health maintenance in older people:

1) Increasing oral hydration.
2) Brushing twice daily.
3) Flossing once daily.
4) Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
5) Every six months once dental checkup.

Conclusion:

Oral health impact will be there on general health and the quality of life.
Poor oral health can increase the risk to general health and affects the nutritional intake.
So it is important to see a dentist regularly, as they can provide good oral health care.

                                                No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,

                                                Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,

                                                Chennai - 600 097,

                                                Phone :- 9786688755,044-49504825

                                                          Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com

Oral care for older people

GERIATRIC ORAL HEALTH CARE

As we all grow older, certain health concerns need our full attention, especially the oral health.

It is important to remember, however, that keeping your teeth in good condition, your age might require some special attention. 

Advancing age shows number of oral health problems such as:

1) Dry mouth:

                  

Dry mouth can result from ageing, and also caused by certain medications.

DRY MOUTH

2) Attrition:

Attrition is wearing of enamel. As enamel wears off , teeth sensitivity increases and teeth becomes darker.

ATTRITION

3) Gum disease:

Gum disease is common problem in older people.
Gum disease worsens if there is improper oral hygiene, poor fitting dentures, and in certain diseases such as diabetes, cancer.
Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss.

PERIODONTITIS

4) Root decay:

The tooth roots become exposed as gum tissue recedes from the tooth.
Tooth roots are more prone to decay.

ROOT CARIES

5) Denture induced stomatitis:

Ill fitting dentures, poor oral hygiene causes tissue inflammation underlying the dentures.

DENTURE STOMATITIS

6) Thrush:

Poor oral hygiene, drugs that affect the immune system can trigger the overgrowth of fungus in mouth.

ORAL THRUSH

7) Bone resorption:

Bone resorption results from loss of teeth and not replacing the missing teeth.
Missing teeth allows the adjacent teeth to drift into that spaces.

TEETH LOSS LEADS TO BONE RESORPTION

For maintaining oral health in older people:

1) Increase oral hydration.

2) Brush atleast twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

3) Floss atleast once a day.

4) Use an antibacterial mouthrinse.

5) Avoid tobacco as it will increase the risk of mouth cancer.

6) Visit your dentist for every 6 months for cleaning and oral examination.

Conclusion:

                                    For every senior citizen, it is important to see a dental care professional regularly, as your dentist can provide good oral health care. So don't skip your dental visits.

                                                No:2/2, First Floor, Sakthi Nagar,

                                                Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Thuraipakkam,

                                                Chennai - 600 097,

                                                Phone :- 9786688755,044-49504825

                                                          Email :- rootzdentalcare@gmail.com