As
people grow older, they start getting worried about their health. They go for
regular health check-ups, get careful about what they eat, take up some form of
exercise, etc. But how many of the elderly consider going to the dentist
regularly? According to the American Cancer Society, “there are about 35,000
cases of mouth, throat and tongue cancer diagnosed each year. The average age
of most people diagnosed with these cancers is 62.” This just goes to show that
dental care for the elderly is, as important, as any other kind of medical
care.
Many
of the elderly are unaware of the numerous dental problems they could face as
they grow older. Some of them are:
Cavities
People
associate cavities with young children. If they have strong, healthy teeth as
children and adults, they assume that their teeth will stay strong all their
lives. But that is not true. As people age, the amount of nutrients that their
body absorbs lessens, and this makes them prone to infections.
As
you age, the space between the teeth becomes more. Food gets caught between the
teeth and if this food isn’t cleaned out, it will attract bacteria and this
could cause gum infection. If not treated in time, it would cause a cavity and
maybe even loss of teeth.
Gum disease
There
are a couple of reasons that the elderly are prone to gum disease. One is that
their bodies are weaker than that of younger people and their immunity is less.
So, a small infection could cause a major problem. The other one is as
explained above, is the debris left between the teeth, which could give rise to
infections affecting the gum and weakening it.
Rickets
This
is also associated with young children, but can be an elderly dental ailment as
well. It is caused by lack of Vitamin C, phosphate and calcium and could result
in loss of teeth. The elderly should increase their intake of these nutrients
as they age to ensure that their bones and teeth stay strong.
Mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers can be painful and you could have difficulty eating anything sour or spicy. Mouth ulcers are a sign of something wrong with your health, and your dentist could be able to detect what the underlying cause is, and advice you on what kind of medical treatment to take.
Mouth Cancer
Oral
cancer is another quiet but dangerous problem if proper dental care is not taken regularly.
Mouth cancer could affect the gums, the lips, the tongue or the sides of the
mouth. If you go to a dentist regularly, many types of cancer can be detected
early and treatment can be started immediately, thereby decreasing the chance
of it getting worse.
Some
symptoms of oral cancer could be:
- Sore patches in the inner lining of your mouth, gums or tongue
- Patchy redness on the side of your mouth
- Sores on your lips
Many
of the symptoms are invisible and do not cause any pain in the early stages. If
you visit a dentist regularly, these problems can be detected early and the
right treatment can be given.
Some tips on dental care for the elderly
- See a dentist regularly
- Brush your teeth twice a day and if possible after every meal, and floss well
- Use lip balms to avoid chapped lips
- Drink lots of water as older people get dehydrated faster and the mouth produces less saliva, leading to sores
- Take necessary supplements that your body needs to keep your teeth and gums healthy
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