How aging affects your oral health

Oral health is an important aspect of your overall health. Many individuals make the right lifestyle choices concerning nutrition, exercises, and adequate sleep for their overall physical health. But they neglect their oral health, which is a window to achieving lifelong healthiness.

Proper oral hygiene is crucial as we age. Here are some common dental problems to watch out for as you age.

Gum Diseases

Most individuals do not realize how crucial it is to take care of their gums. Gum disease is a condition that affects gum tissue that holds the teeth and is the main cause of tooth loss in adults. Symptoms of gum disease are easy to spot and comes in two phases, namely:
Gingivitis: is the first phase of gum disease. It is curable if proper oral care and the right treatment is followed. The main cause of Gingivitis is the bacteria present in oral plaque. Signs of gingivitis are red, inflamed gums and bleeding when brushing. If you notice any of these signs, see a dental expert immediately. If left untreated, Gingivitis can advance to periodontitis.

Periodontitis: is a severe stage of gum disease. It affects individuals between the ages of 65 and 74. This condition, infect your gums and the bone supporting the teeth causing it to break down. Your gums may begin pulling from the teeth. In the worst cases, the bone supporting the teeth gets damaged and, if not treated, can lead to tooth loss.

Root Decay

As we grow old, gums may begin stripping back from the teeth due to gum disease or brushing too hard. Gums that pull back from the teeth exposes the root of teeth. The roots are soft and more porous; therefore, they are more vulnerable to decay than the tooth crown.

Oral Cancer

People who are over 40 years of age are more prone to oral cancer. If you notice any white or red patches on your tongue, gums and on other oral tissues, or sores that do not heal within two weeks, visit your dentist at once. Oral cancer is often difficult to diagnose in its early stages, though your dentist should notice any symptoms of oral cancer during your regular check-ups.

Dry Mouth

As we age, we tend to take a lot of medication. Most forms of medication cause a decrease in saliva, causing dry mouth. Saliva plays a significant role in rinsing out bacteria and food remains that cause tooth decay. Saliva also helps in counteracting harmful acids. You should ask your dentist on how to treat dry mouth.

These are some of the many difficulties you could come upon as you age. These problems may occur in your mouth without you even realizing them until finally, it's far too late. Visit Trilliant Dentistry; our dental team understand the particular problems faced by the elderly. If you have challenges accessing dental services because of medical conditions or limited mobility, ask a family member or your caregiver to help plan regular dental visits.