As one grows older, many health problems arise because of their weakened body systems. Among the many issues, oral health problems are common in the elderly. Various dental problems such as tooth loss, dental caries, periodontal diseases and so on are seen in senior people. Certain risk factors make them more prone to different kinds of dental issues.
Aging is the primary factor affecting dental health of the elderly. As they age, the gums begin to recede and this may further lead to many other dental problems. However, regular flossing and good oral hygienic practices can lessen the gum recession, thereby promoting healthy gums. Another important thing is that seniors suffer from a common problem, dry mouth. A dry mouth is a condition where the saliva content in the mouth is less. Certain medications may even promote this situation. As saliva in the oral cavity is less, there is less chance to throw away the bacteria and food particles. The deposition of these elements, however, causes plaque or tartar formation that can lead to gum diseases. It is even found that people, especially women, suffering from osteoporosis have a higher risk of periodontal diseases.
Elderly people face limits on insurance and money to afford for dental treatment. Hence, they avoid getting treatment for any dental issues that are already present. Another consideration is that they are unable to go to the dental office and neglect even if they suffer from serious oral problems. In addition, there are also very limited trained dentists who are willing to go to the elderly for checking their dental needs.
In addition to the above factors, poor diet, improper oral hygiene, side effects of medications and recurrent decay around older fillings are found to cause dental issues in the elderly.
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