As you age, your teeth and gums change, just like the rest of your body. That means staying on top of your daily dental hygiene and scheduling routine check-ups are more important for maintaining a healthy, fabulous smile.
Our Northwest Dental Services & Denture Implant Center offers comprehensive, personalized care, helping older adults prevent dental problems that cause pain and lead to tooth loss. Here, you’ll learn about the common issues facing older adults and tips for preventing them.
While most of these issues can develop at any age, they become increasingly common as you get older:
Chronic diseases develop over time, so they’re usually diagnosed as you get older. In fact, 80% of older adults have multiple chronic conditions. As a result, they often take several medications.
Many medications and certain chronic conditions can lead to a dry mouth. Diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Sjögren’s syndrome are a few examples.
A dry mouth (lack of saliva) may lead to cavities, gum disease, difficulty swallowing, and mouth sores.
Two gum problems that are more likely with aging include:
As you get older, the jaw bone weakens, and connective tissues in your gums become thinner and weaker. The longer you live, the more your gums sustain damage from aggressive brushing.
All these changes can result in receding gums. Receding gums trap bacteria, resulting in gum disease (gingivitis). Without strong gums, your teeth can loosen as well.
Gingivitis occurs more often in older adults. Without treatment, gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, a severe infection that can destroy soft tissues and erode the jaw bone. It’s the top cause of tooth loss.
The early signs of gum disease include bleeding (often when brushing your teeth), redness and swelling, and bad breath.
Tooth loss isn’t a regular part of aging, but it’s a common problem. The primary causes of tooth loss are cavities and gum disease, but both are preventable and treatable.
If you’ve lost teeth, we offer a range of options for restoring your dental health and confidence, including bridges, dentures, and dental implants.
Cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat, and lips develop gradually, which means your risk rises with age. Oral cancer is usually diagnosed after the age of 55.
Smoking and moderate-to-heavy alcohol use are the top risk factors for oral cancer. However, exposure to sunlight significantly raises the chances of lip cancer.
We routinely screen for oral cancer during your dental check-ups. We look for signs of cancer like sores, lumps, and red or white patches. In some cases, we may use a blue dye to identify abnormal tissues and take a biopsy.
Adults with conditions like arthritis, dementia, or limited mobility may have a hard time with brushing and flossing. We can help by recommending adaptive tools and tips.
Many adults put up with uncomfortable and loose-fitting dentures. But you should never struggle with dentures that don’t fit.
We specialize in adjustments and denture repair, as well as All-on-4® implants, which securely anchor dentures using implants. Regardless of the type of denture, we ensure they fit well and support your quality of life.
Getting routine dental check-ups is the most crucial step for keeping your teeth healthy and protecting your smile. Everyone should have a dental examination once or twice a year.
Here are our top tips to protect your dental health:
Schedule an appointment any time you have symptoms such as:
Additionally, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment if your dentures cause sores or discomfort or feel loose.
We’re here to answer your questions and provide personalized care that supports your long-term dental health. Call Northwest Dental Services & Denture Implant Center today to schedule a consultation.
