The effects of aging impact various aspects of your health, which includes oral health too. With time, mouth, teeth, and gums may undergo several changes that can affect the quality of your life. Here are a few conditions you may be prone to because of aging.
1. Decrease in bone density and possible bone loss
Aging makes you vulnerable to bone loss. Your body uses calcium and phosphate to reabsorb old bones and create new bones. However, aging slows this process. The decreased mineral content in your bones makes them weaker and brittle. When bone thinning outpaces bone growth, it causes osteoporosis. It decreases bone density, making your bones extremely fragile. Women are more susceptible to loss of bone because of lower estrogen levels after menopause, deficiency of calcium and vitamin D, and other health conditions. But what does general bone loss or osteoporosis have to do with oral health? It makes your jaw bones lose density and increases the possibility of loose teeth and tooth loss. Your gums are more likely to recede and expose your tooth more, making it vulnerable to tooth decay. More dental issues may also stem from low bone density in your jaw. For example, it may affect the fitting of your dentures. The outcomes of several oral and dental surgical procedures are also less-than-desirable in this case.
You should take proactive measures to prevent these threats to your oral and overall health. Go for regular dental check-ups and avoid delaying or postponing dental treatments. A healthy lifestyle also plays a significant role in maintaining optimum bone health. Eat a balanced diet that contains adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D. If your primary diet is fat-rich or carb-rich, you may consult a nutritionist and follow a customized diet that helps improve bone health. Be physically active and exercise daily. The best exercises that help strengthen bones are walking, jogging, dancing, and weight training. Limit taking alcohol and try to quit smoking. These two habits anyway jeopardize your dental health. The acid content of alcohol and chemicals present in nicotine damages your gingival tissue and increases the risk of oral cancer. If you notice any symptoms related to jaw bone loss, such as receding or detached gums, loose teeth, and ill-fitting or loose dentures, consult your dentist immediately.
2. Xerostomia
Xerostomia or dry mouth has two causes—an adverse effect of medication(s) and/or comorbid conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. It is common among older adults, particularly those who take more than four prescription medications every day. Some medications change the composition of saliva or reduce its secretion, leading to a dry mouth. Saliva protects your oral health by washing sugary and acidic food residue away. However, these remain on your teeth for extended periods when there’s a lack of enough saliva. It may trigger a slew of oral health issues including enamel loss, mucositis, cracked lips, caries, and fissured tongue. Keep sipping water throughout the day and limit the intake of acidic and sugar-laden foods and drinks to prevent dry mouth. Discuss with your physicians if changing a few medicines with different compositions can help decrease the number of pills you take in a day.
3. Root caries (tooth decay at the root)
As you age, gingival recession becomes prominent and exposes root surfaces. It increases the risk of root caries, which leads to sensitivity to hot and cold foods, toothaches, and swelling around the affected gum. Being diligent about oral hygiene helps keep caries at bay. In addition, brush your teeth twice a day, move and rotate the brush properly to clean the nook and corners of your teeth, use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwashes, and avoid foods that harm your overall dental health. If you know a family dentist in La Jolla, speak to them about the prevention or treatment of caries, as required. Generally, dentists recommend silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to treat caries in older adults.
4. Periodontal disease
Periodontitis is a severe disease that causes gum inflammation and leads to tooth loss if left untreated. It also affects the bones around the gums. Bacterial accumulation is the primary cause of periodontal disease. When plaque stays on your teeth for too long, it hardens and turns into tartar. Tartar build-up results in bad breath, swollen gums, inflammation, and bleeding gums. In worst cases, gums pull away from your teeth. Periodontitis is most likely to affect smokers, people with poor oral hygiene, or those with health conditions such as diabetes, leukemia, or AIDS. Older adults may skip oral hygiene routine because of several reasons, which makes them susceptible to periodontitis.
5. Physical limitations
You lose muscle mass, strength, and power as you age. It leads to a decline in physical capabilities and mobility, which affects your ability to take care of your oral health. That is why aged persons are more prone to catching oral diseases. In healthy older adults, this change is gradual and may peak when they reach their 70s or 80s. However, age-related physical weakness combined with existing health conditions may disrupt oral hygiene routine and increase the chances of dental health problems.
6. Cognitive challenges affecting oral health
Aging brings cognitive decline. Whether because of general forgetfulness or serious issues such as dementia, people with decreased cognitive abilities are more likely to suffer from poor oral health. One study indicates compromised dental behavior because of low cognition among the middle-aged too. Regular check-ups of the patients and educating the caregivers help improve the oral care for those living with cognitive challenges. The dentists, instead of overwhelming patients with many instructions, should go slow and use simple sentences to communicate with them. Caregivers should use reminder strategies such as pasting instruction notes near the bathroom basin or the toothbrush holder.
Aging is inevitable. However, you can stay vigilant and regular about your dental healthcare and minimize its negative effects on your oral health.
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