Oral Concerns For Seniors

As you age, you may encounter new issues related to your oral health and comfort. Having an idea of what to expect and being proactive about dental care can help you keep your mouth healthy, save money on expensive procedures, improve comfort, and know what to be on the lookout for so you can talk to your dentist. These are some of the most common.

Cavities and gum disease

Believe it or not, your risk for cavities increases as you age. Older adults may have new tooth decay at higher rates than children and about 23 percent of 65- to 74-year-olds have severe gum disease, according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Staying on top of routine care and dental visits can help prevent further decay and catch and manage problems before they become worse.

Dry mouth

While salivary function decreases in part due to age, for the most part, the dry mouth many older adults experience can be attributed to medications. Because saliva helps remove food particles from teeth and neutralizes acids in the mouth, dry mouth can contribute to tooth decay.

Talk to your doctor and dentist about dry mouth to help determine its cause and determine the best way to resolve it.

Oral cancer

Oral cancer occurs most often in people over 40, according to the Academy of General Dentistry. Check your mouth for lesions, keep an eye on them and notify the dentist if you experience any of the following: red or white patches on your gums or tongue, sores that fail to heal within two weeks or an unusual hard spot on the side of your tongue.

Sensitivity

Receding gums are a natural consequence of aging; however, because this exposes unprotected portions of the tooth, sensitivity may occur. Anti-sensitivity toothpaste may help reduce the discomfort. Other causes for sensitivity include cavities and cracked teeth. As you know, catching problems early prevents them from worsening, so let your dentist know if you continue to experience pain.