Top Dental Problems in Older Adults

1. Dental problems are common in older adults and can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort.

An older adult’s smile is an important part of their appearance and well-being.

Yet, many older adults are unaware of their dental problems and may not take care of them.

One in four Americans over the age of 65 has some type of dental problem, according to the American Dental Association.

Many people suffer from multiple dental problems at one time.

The good news is that there are several ways to prevent dental problems and improve your smile.

If you have very sensitive teeth or gums, talk to your dentist about any possible dental reasons that could be causing your teeth to feel irritable and uncomfortable even when you chew with ease.

Dental issues like jaw pain, gingivitis, TMJ (temporo mandibular joint) pain or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) pain can all cause sensitive teeth and gums to feel uncomfortable for no reason at all!

Some common causes of tooth sensitivity in older adults include:

• Dry Oral Cavity —When teeth are not getting enough moisture from saliva, they become more sensitive because they don’t have enough fluids in them to lubricate the teeth properly; this causes them to be more sensitive than normal.

• Gum Disease —Gum disease usually affects patients who have had gum problems in other areas of the mouth such as tongue protrusion (removal), vesicles (blisters), bleeding gums due to plaque build upon the tooth surfaces or periodontal disease – inflammation around the tooth roots that causes gum diseases such as gingivitis (gum disease).

• Sensitivity —Sensitivity is also known as hyper palatine hypersensitivity; In some cases, people may experience sensitivity because their jaws are extremely stiffer than usual resulting in difficulty chewing food properly.

2. The five most commondental problems in older adults are:

 ·  Cavities

 ·  Gingivitis

 ·  Periodontitis

 ·  Dental caries

 ·  And tooth decay.

Cavities are a common dental problem in older adults. They start because of a lack of dental hygiene and are worsened by aging. They can also be caused by genetics and several other factors.

Routinely brushing your teeth can help to prevent cavities, which is the most common form of dental disease. If you’re not sure if you have cavities, you should get them checked out by a dentist.

The treatment for cavities starts with flossing to remove plaque (gum). It’s important to floss twice per day, even while brushing your teeth.

This won’t only help avoid gum disease, but it will also make it easier to brush your teeth properly.

If that doesn’t work for you, changing the way you brush your mouth could help prevent cavities from forming.

There are different types of oral care products available today like sugar-free drinks and natural toothpaste brands that not only promise good dental health but also fight against it at once!

3. Cavities are caused by bacteria that eat away at the teeth and can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort.

Cavities are caused by bacteria that eat away at the teeth and can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort.

The causes of cavities are varied. Some bacteria simply eat away at the enamel and dentine, while others are more aggressive.

Some can even attack nerves in the mouth, causing nerve damage.

There are several treatments available to help deter cavities from forming, including fluoride toothpaste and braces. However, are cent study found that not all toothpastes containing fluoride are as effective as advertised.

4. Gingivitis is a gum infection

Gingivitis is a gum infection that can cause mouth pain, bleeding, and difficulty chewing. It often starts at the gums and slowly progresses to the rest of the mouth. Symptoms vary, but can include:

 ·  Sore gums and/or teeth

 ·  Bleeding in your mouth

 ·  Cold or burning watery discharge from your mouth

5. Periodontitis

Periodontal diseases result in cavities in our teeth, which eventually will become infected (the bacteria there will then produce toxins that damage other parts of our mouths).

This is a very serious thing. It potentially affects your health, your finances and your ability to eat and live normally.

If you are suffering from this disease, you should start looking into it now and not wait until you can see an orthodontist or dentist.

Keep in mind that the best treatment is prevention.

Dental Caries

Caries is a term that comes out of the root word carie, which is a “carved” or “sanded”tooth.

In dental terminology, this means that the surface of a tooth is exposed to the action of acids and enzymes in the saliva and bacteria (generally from plaque).

This leads to the formation of a thin layer of extracellular deposits: If you are going to have a dental professional clean your teeth, you need to know what this is.

And you need to know exactly how serious it is. The most common forms are called deciduous(or primary) caries–the first one started at birth or the second one when we reach adulthood.

The most common adult form is called secondary caries because we have already started developing it as adults, but it does not usually start until we reach our late teens and 20s.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a serious problem for many people in the Western world, and it is also a very common occurrence in developing countries.

It may seem like something that you can ignore because it may not affect you personally, but it is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in children.

As a result, the rate at which we lose teeth increases dramatically as we age. By age 20, 50% of people have lost half or more of their teeth, and by 80 years old that number rises to over 90%.

Conclusion

Keep your dental hygiene appointments, talk to your dentists about any oral questions you may have or any oral discomforts you may been experiencing.

We have plenty of tools available at our office to do a complete professional evaluation to suggest you the best possible options for you.