At Cedarwood Dentistry, we provide personalized dental experiences to patients of all ages. From children to seniors, we form relationships with families that span generations. No matter your age, it’s essential to practice good dental hygiene! When it comes to dental care for seniors, we’ve gathered some tips and tricks to ensure their dental health remains in tip-top shape.
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Common Dental Complications for Seniors
We find that many senior patients suffer from dry mouth, which can cause dental complications. Saliva helps prevent food and plaque from sticking to the teeth, and a lack of saliva can result in tooth decay. In an attempt to minimize dry mouth, people often use mints or sugary candies, which can lead to further dental problems like cavities. Some of the most common dental complications we see in our senior patients include periodontal disease and cavities. At Cedarwood Dentistry, we strive to educate our patients about the risk of these common complications and how they can take steps to prevent them.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease can result from infections and inflammation of the gums and bones around the teeth. If bacteria in the mouth infect the tissue around the tooth, it can cause inflammation. Periodontal disease can begin as gingivitis, in which gums initially become swollen and bleed. In its later stages, it then turns into periodontitis, or when gums pull away from the tooth. This condition results in potential bone loss or even tooth loss. Some risk factors for periodontal disease include smoking, diabetes, taking medications that cause dry mouth, and poor oral hygiene.
Cavities
Another common complication we see in senior patients is cavities. In fact, older adults are at a higher risk of developing cavities than younger patients. There are many causes of cavities, including consuming sugary foods and drinks, poor brushing, and even dry mouth. Since saliva breaks down bacteria on the teeth and helps wash away food particles, without saliva, teeth are left essentially unprotected. Additionally, the constant consumption of sugary substances to mitigate dry mouth can increase plaque on teeth, and if teeth aren’t cleaned well, it can result in cavities.
Mitigating Dry Mouth & Its Associated Risks
Because dry mouth can be the root of many dental problems for seniors, we recommend a variety of solutions to address dry mouth and minimize the likelihood of cavities and periodontal disease. First, we recommend that if a patient suffers from dry mouth, they should try to use sugar-free candy or mints to stimulate saliva. Additionally, they can try using mouth rinses without alcohol, such as Act. Lastly, rinsing out the mouth with water after eating can help prevent food and particles from sticking to the teeth.
How Seniors Can Avoid Dental Complications
Generally speaking, a simple way to avoid dental complications like periodontal disease and cavities is by practicing good dental hygiene. The impact of brushing and flossing every day goes a long way! Additionally, it’s important to be seen by a dentist every six months, no matter your age. Visiting the dentist is especially important when it comes to cavities because if not caught, the infection can begin to spread to other teeth as well. So take control of your dental health and schedule your appointment today at Cedarwood Dentistry!
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.