Dentists Concerns for the Elderly

Dentists treat people for oral problems concerning the teeth, gums and the jaws among others. One important aspect of dental care is that for older individuals. This age bracket may sometimes be overlooked especially for dental hygiene and care because many use dentures and there are not a lot of teeth to take care of. It is a good idea to point out what problems or issues to look out for in senior citizens.

Gum Disease

This problem is a common one for people of advanced ages because they may not be as vigilant when it comes to brushing their teeth as well as flossing in between them. Dentists recommend a cleaning every six months for individuals of all ages, especially for children and the elderly. In this cleaning plaque which can accumulate and form around the base of a tooth can be taken away. The buildup of plaque contributes to acceleration of the development of gum disease. Other factors that can aid in the development of this issue are ill-fitting dentures and bridges, the use of tobacco products and other underlying diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The consequences of having this problem are discomfort in the area and ultimately losing some of the pearly whites. In senior citizens, the loss of more means the addition of dentures as well as additional expenses. There are other different things that can be caused by gum disease not just loss of teeth. These include root decay which can be caused by the recession of the gums from the tooth, exposing the root thus making it vulnerable to digestive acids.

Staining

Tooth stain soften occur in older people due to the number of years that they consume products that can darken their pearly whites. Dentists often treat darkening or staining in their own clinics. Although there are over the counter treatments for this problem, supervision by a certified dental professional is preferable especially for older individuals who might get the instructions of an over the counter product wrong. The intensity and length of the treatment with the supervision of the oral health care provider depends on how severe the staining is as well as how well the individual reacts to the treatment.

Advice

Dentists often request older individuals to visit their clinic regularly in order to check on the state of the oral cavity and to have a regular cleaning. Brushing twice or thrice a day is also recommended along with the use of fluoride toothpaste and flossing. The time when to floss can be before or after brushing but some dentists recommend before. The concept behind this is that any debris dislodged by the act of flossing can be further dislodged by the toothbrush. Senior citizens should also be aware of their dental health. Any problems or changes that they experience should be brought to the attention of the oral health care provider. This action can prevent any serious problems from cropping up or bring a serious ailment to the attention of a certified dental professional.