Importance of Oral Health in Older People

The Dental Difficulties of Getting Old

The age of a person has a huge impact on the nature of their health issues. As you get older, a lot of typical health problems surface. This necessitates proper attention to one’s overall health, including oral health. Even with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits, older people may suffer from certain dental problems like:

• Reduction in teeth enamel.
• Changes in dentin.
• Receding gums and sensitivity.
• Consequences of poor fitting dentures.
• Impact of old age diseases like heart problems, diabetes, Alzheimer’s etc. on oral health.
• Medication side effects like dry mouth.
• Consequences of harmful lifelong habits like smoking or chewing tobacco.
• Improper diet.
• Neglecting dental visits and treatment due to financial constraints.

Apart from the above dental problems, many seniors also lose teeth due to neglect. These teeth need to be replaced with the help of implants or dentures as they are not just needed for biting and chewing, but also for providing structural support to facial muscles, and stopping nearby teeth from shifting in the mouth.

Importance of Oral Health in Older People

• Healthy teeth are needed for proper chewing and digestion of food, a lack of which may lead to poor nutrition.
• Poor oral health and appearance may even become a cause for social isolation and depression, impacting the quality of life.
• Oral problems can cause or complicate other health problems like cardiovascular illnesses, respiratory problems, and peptic ulcers.
• Neglect of oral health in the initial stages may lead to expensive procedures later that older people may not be able to afford. Even if they have insurance, it only pays for a part of the cost.

Older people need to pay special attention to their oral health to ensure their smile lasts a lifetime.