Prevention is better than cure. How should seniors take care of their teeth?
How many teeth are considered healthy at age 60? The answer is 20 or more.
Many elderly people often hold some misconceptions, such as "it's normal for teeth to loosen and fall out as people get older," "just rinsing your mouth is enough, you don't need to brush your teeth," and "I'll get dentures when all my teeth are gone." These beliefs have led to fewer elderly people going to the dental clinic for regular checkups, and many even have a "psychological aversion" to "getting a dentist."
However, oral health is a result of consistent effort. By developing good oral hygiene habits and actively preventing oral problems, oral health will significantly improve, and the probability of dental issues will decrease substantially. So, how should seniors maintain effective oral hygiene?
Dental diseases that are common in the elderly
Periodontal disease: Older adults are more prone to gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis, which can lead to loose teeth and tooth loss, and are the leading cause of tooth loss in the elderly.
Tooth loss: Tooth loss directly affects chewing and pronunciation, which in turn may affect facial and oral tissue function and even trigger systemic diseases.
Tooth sensitivity:Gum recession in the elderly can lead to exposure of the tooth neck, which can cause allergies to cold, hot, sour, sweet, and spicy foods and drinks.
Tooth decay (cavities)
Because the elderly suffer from periodontal recession, which exposes the tooth roots, and excessive tooth wear, food debris easily remains, leading to plaque buildup that is difficult to remove and eventually causing tooth decay (cavities).
Tooth wear is caused by abnormal occlusion, such as misaligned teeth, missing teeth, unilateral chewing, excessive occlusion, nighttime teeth grinding, chewing hard objects, and other poor lifestyle habits. Prolonged chewing can lead to enamel wear, and in severe cases, dentin damage.
To maintain oral health, five preventative measures must be taken.
1. Maintain oral hygiene
Elderly people should brush their teeth in the morning and evening. When brushing, they should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to enhance the teeth's resistance to acid. It is especially important to brush at night. When brushing, gently brush the teeth and the gum line around dentures. Do not brush vigorously horizontally to avoid damaging the teeth and gums.
2. Clean dentures promptly.
Whether it's dental implants, fixed dentures, or removable dentures, they all require daily cleaning and maintenance, just like natural teeth. Since dental implants and fixed dentures are not removable, food debris and bacteria may accumulate around them. Use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean the gaps between your teeth and dentures. This will remove food debris and bacteria.
3. Regular oral health checkups
Seniors should have regular oral health checkups and cleanings, generally every six months. This allows for the early detection and treatment of oral problems. Some seniors often need to take various medications, some of which may have negative effects on oral health, such as causing dry mouth and mouth ulcers. Seniors require even more frequent dental checkups and cleanings in these cases.
4. Healthy diet
Seniors should develop a balanced diet, reduce their intake of high-sugar and acidic foods, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, quit smoking and drinking alcohol, and avoid eating strongly stimulating foods. Seniors experiencing dry mouth can alleviate the problem by drinking water, chewing sugar-free gum, or using artificial saliva.
5. Promptly restore missing teeth
For cavities, get them filled or extracted as soon as possible to prevent further tooth decay and infection. Missing teeth can be fitted with dentures to reduce the burden on the remaining teeth. At the same time, take care to protect the dentures and make timely adjustments or replacements to restore the chewing function of the teeth.
Author: Dr. Chen Haoxian
