Oral Health Issues Seniors Encounter

Oral health is an important and often overlooked component of an older person’s general health and well-being. The team at Gainesville Dental Associates knows that for many of our older patients, oral health can become an issue, especially when arthritis or other neurological problems render them unable to brush or floss their teeth as effectively as they once did. Today, we thought we would discuss four common oral health issues our older patients face and how they can avoid them:

Cavities: It’s not just children who get tooth decay—oral decay is a common disease in people 65 and older. Ninety-two percent of seniors 65 and older have had dental caries in their permanent teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The risk for tooth decay increases because many older adults don’t go to the dentist as often as they used to, thus cavities go undetected and untreated for longer than they should. Keeping regular appointments with GDA is the key to getting cavities treated in a timely manner.

Oral Cancer: The risk of oral cancer increases with age, especially among older adults who smoke or use tobacco products. Regular oral cancer screenings are essential for early detection and treatment.

Sensitivity: Older adults may experience increased tooth sensitivity due to gum recession, enamel erosion, or exposed tooth roots. Sensitivity can make eating and drinking uncomfortable and may require special dental care or toothpaste.

Oral Thrush: Older adults with weakened immune systems or those taking antibiotics are at increased risk of developing oral thrush, a fungal infection characterized by white patches in the mouth

Tooth Decay: Although tooth decay is often associated with children, older adults are still at risk, especially if they have exposed tooth roots due to gum recession or dry mouth caused by medications.

Gum Disease: Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, becomes more prevalent with age. It can lead to gum recession, tooth loss, and other serious health problems if left untreated.

Difficulty eating: Oral health problems, whether from missing teeth, cavities, dentures that don’t fit, gum disease, or infection, can cause difficulty eating and can force people to adjust the quality, consistency, and balance of their diet.

Dry mouth: Also called xerostomia, dry mouth is a common issue for a lot of seniors. Our friends at the Oral Cancer Foundation estimate that 20 percent of elderly people suffer from dry mouth, which means the reduced flow of saliva (saliva plays a crucial role in preventing tooth decay). Many seniors are on multiple medications for a variety of chronic illnesses or conditions. Common medications taken that may cause dry mouth are decongestants, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, pain pills, incontinence medications, antidepressants, diuretics, muscle relaxers, and Parkinson’s disease medications. To help counter this, we suggest drinking lots of fluids and limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol. We also encourage you to see if your medications are causing your mouth to feel dry.

Gum Disease: Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the gums and surrounding tissues that hold teeth in place. While gum disease affects people of all ages, it typically becomes worse as people age. In its early stages, gum disease is painless, and most people have no idea that they have it. In more advanced cases, however, gum disease can cause sore gums and pain when chewing.

Gum disease, which can range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease, is usually caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow dental plaque to build up on the teeth. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form tartar that brushing simply does not clean. Only a professional cleaning at our office can remove tartar. The two forms of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and can bleed easily; in periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces that become infected. Proper brushing, flossing and visiting our office regularly can prevent gum disease.

Finally, for Seniors with limited dexterity who have trouble gripping a toothbrush should use toothbrushes that have a wide base, grips well or switch to an electric toothbrush.

Regular dental check-ups, good oral hygiene practices, a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco products are essential for maintaining oral health as you age. Older adults should also discuss any concerns or changes in their oral health with their GDA dentist.