Aging & Your Oral Health

As patients age, that often means that there are a whole different host of issues with their oral health that need to get addressed. However, the good news is that there is a treatment for all of these problems to ensure that you can maintain your oral health well into your retirement years.

Some of the following are the most common problems older patients experience when it comes to their oral health:

As we age, the thin, protective layer that covers and protects our teeth tends to thin off. Enamel wears thin from years of eating, chewing, drinking, and exposure to the foods/drinks that we consume daily. A healthy diet and daily brushing/flossing, as well as regular dental visits, can help preserve the enamel on your teeth as you age.

As the enamel wears thin (or off of) your teeth as you age, your dentin becomes exposed. Dentin can become easily stained darker and unpleasant yellow or brownish colors by the dyes in the foods and drinks we consume daily. Discoloration treatments such as professional whitening, veneers/lumineers, etc. are available, but simply keeping your teeth whitened through a healthy diet, a good daily brushing/flossing routine, and visiting the dentist office regularly for scheduled cleanings is often a much easier (and cheaper) way to go.

Regular dental cleanings can help ward off tooth erosion, decay, and rot, which can become more common as the tooth ages. The following are great steps that you can take to help ensure that your teeth do not erode as you age:

• replacing fillings that may have gotten cracked/damaged due to age
• ensure that you avoid medications that may cause harmful conditions like dry mouth which can help increase your chances of tooth rot
• ensure that you are not experiencing gum recession which can put you at higher risk of dental decay

Ensuring these conditions do not affect you will help ensure that your teeth will remain healthy as possible; moving forward into your older years. If you notice these issues developing, seeking professional dental treatment can help you minimize your future oral health risks.

Many types of medication that you might find yourself prescribed as you get older include one very unpleasant (and potentially harmful) side-effect called a chronic dry mouth. Chronic dry mouth is when your salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to moisturize your mouth appropriately. You can increase your risk of oral health issues such as tooth decay and rot if left untreated.

The following tips can help those suffering from chronic dry mouth avoid tooth rot and decay that can come with the condition:

• Drink water regularly throughout the day.
• Chew sugar-free gum.
• Suck on hard, sugar-free candies.
• Stop tobacco use/chewing.
• Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol or other drying agents in them.
• Consider over-the-counter saliva substitutes.
• Determine if your medications are causing dry mouth (find a suitable alternative).

These tips can help you treat dry mouth, so you don't have issues with premature rot and decay in your teeth.

If you are experiencing any of these age-related dental issues, seeking professional dental assistance can help. Treatment can help you avoid oral health issues as you age and keep your teeth looking healthy for many years to come. Click hereto see what treatment is best for you.

At the offices of Ronald A Murphy DMD, we are proud to offer our patients a variety of health services in geriatric dentistry that will help keep your teeth looking great at all ages and stages of your life. To set up a consultation appointment today, please feel free to contact usat your earliest convenience.