Aging brings many changes to our bodies. Similarly, dental health also falls in this category. It is possible to take care of your teeth even if your other body parts are in decay.
When you get older you may face oral issues like sensitive teeth, receding gums, bleeding gums, loose teeth, etc.
5 Things to Remember for Dental Care
If you are over 80 years, you are lucky enough to be alive. You have already lived a life that is written in a “Good Book”. You should take special care of your teeth because this is the only thing that helps you talk and eat with confidence.
At the age of 80 years or more, you are taking medicines to make your body fit and healthy or you may have some oral diseases. Mostly, such people experience dry mouth and tooth decay. No doubt, it is obvious. Less saliva causes tooth decay. If you come across this type of issue, you need to meet the dental care team.
you can get dental care guidance here:
Common Dental Problems In Old Age – Eurodent Belgium (euro-dent.be)
Below we discuss dental health issues, which will help you or your caregiver identify the causes of oral diseases.
Gum Disease
Over time a bacteria called ‘plaque’ builds up in your gums. It is necessary to remove plaque from your teeth, otherwise, it may cause gum inflammation. Later, it damages the bone under the teeth. And the bone under the gums supports the roots of your teeth. Gradually, you may lose your teeth if you don’t take care of your gums.
You may have gum disease if you feel pain in your gums or if your gums bleed while brushing or if you feel bad breath.
Xerostomia or Dry Mouth
Xerostomia or dry mouth is caused by counter-health medication for blood pressure, sugar, heart disease, etc. You are likely to fall into any of these chronic diseases. According to American Dental Association (ADA), 40% of patients who reach 80 years, are likely to face dry mouth. So, you need to rinse with dry mouthwash or meet your dental doctor.
Trouble in Chewing
With the effect of aging, tooth enamel gets weakened. As a result, you may face cracks, cavities, and other dental issues. It becomes difficult to chew food items.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis occurs by bacteria in dental plaque. It causes inflammation and damage to gums. If it remains untreated, the bacteria enter the bloodstream through gum tissues and possibly disturb the heart, lungs, and other body parts. With old age, periodontal diseases can stay in your mouth and cause complications.
Tooth Decay
When you grow old, you may have tooth decay. And, you may have lost your teeth due to different diseases. Further, it damages other teeth and becomes the cause of bone loss and cavities. At this age, dental care is very important.
3 Preventive Measures for Dental Health
Either you or your caregiver must take care of your teeth and gums. You must follow these three steps to protect your teeth from oral diseases.
Remove Plaque
Brush your teeth daily once or twice. Remove plaque from your teeth. Or, if you have a denture, you need to remove it to clean your mouth from bacteria.
Use an interdental brush if it is not easy to brush up and down.
you may find more information here:
How to Remove Plaque from Teeth Without Going to the Dentist » (righthomeremedies.com)
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
First, you should consult your doctor to get fluoride toothpaste. Many types of fluoride toothpaste like tarter control and total care are available in the market. A good range of fluoride is 1350 to 1500 parts per million. For, dental health, with the help of the doctor, you should buy toothpaste that is high in fluoride.
Use Soft-bristled Brush
Always use a soft-bristled brush for cleaning your teeth. What happens if you use a medium or hard-bristled brush, you may lose your gums and enamel. Therefore, soft-bristled brushes powerfully clean your teeth and are the safest option to use if you are grown much older.
You must ensure that your toothbrush is effective and working well. It should not be older than 3 or 4 months.
Eat Healthily
Eating habits are key in maintaining your dental health. Sugary food and processed food have a damaging effect on oral health. Replace your food with organic natural food like fruits, grain, veggies, and lean meats.
Read more:
A Guide to Eating Healthy in Old Age – Elderly Diets | Age Space
Tip to Replace Food
If you are not on the right track, don’t do it immediately. Do it with proper planning. Hence, you need to cut down your sugar, coffee, or soda from 3 cups to 2 cups. Similarly, you can change your eating habit step by step.
Do Proper Dental Checkups
At this elderly age, you are in great need of proper medical checkups, especially for your dental health. When you visit your dental doctor, many unseen dental issues may appear, which are required to treat timely. At least, you cannot take the risk of delaying dental treatment at this age.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, being over 80-years-old means that you are among only 10% of the total population who have reached this age. At this old age, you or your governess should take special care of your oral health. It is when you don’t have enough energy to raise your hands and brush independently. So, take proper precautionary measures to save yourself from further complications.
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