Aging is an inescapable part of life, and its affects will be experienced throughout your entire body, including your oral health. Understanding the impacts of growing old on your dental health, on the other hand, can help you preserve the longevity of your teeth, gums, and mouth. In this post, we'll explore some of the possible dental problems that come with getting older, as well as how to avoid them.
Wear and Tear
Dental enamel is among the toughest surfaces in the human body, possibly surpassing bones. Despite their extreme toughness, they are susceptible to fracture. Enamel cracks can form over time as a result of a variety of lifestyle choices, accidents, or diseases, eventually leading to fractured teeth. Everyday activities such as chewing food, teeth grinding unconsciously at night, and poor biting can also all wear down your teeth.
Lost Sensitivity
Since your teeth's nerves diminish as you become older they will no longer be as responsive as they once were. You may not detect tooth decay issues as early as you could in your 30s or 40s.
Taste or Feeling Loss
The way you experience food changes as you get older. You could try to solve the apparent blandness by using more spices as your taste sensations disappear. Some individuals start taking their meals hotter to get the mouth-feel they've lost. This usually causes gum burns. These burns can develop into mouth blisters that are uncomfortable and may deter you from maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine.
Dry Mouth
Seniors frequently have dry mouths. It is often caused by chronic conditions that affect the elderly, such as Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. If these disorders aren't the cause, medications such as antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and painkillers can produce dry mouth.
When your salivary glands don't generate enough saliva, it causes dry mouth. Saliva protects against acid damage and restores minerals to your teeth; thus, this is a severe concern for your dental health.
What Effects Does Aging Have on Your Dental Health?
Year- or decade-long behaviours and wellness issues arise as you as you get older. Many of them are behaviours you should have stopped long ago. Others are snooping on you. For example, you are aware that smoking is harmful to your health. However, your gums' general health may suffer as you get older.
Another bad habit that can lead to major harm is brushing teeth too excessively or with an unsuitable toothbrush. In this scenario, it may result to gum receding, which is worsened by aging.
You have no influence over some wellbeing issues. Type 1 diabetes, often known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic ailment that can develop into periodontitis as the body matures. Folks who do not get regular dental exams run the risk of having pus pockets. which can cause infections.
Tips for Maintaining Good Dental Health as You Get Older
It's not all gloom and doom; your present behaviours may have a significant impact on your existing teeth and eventual aging. Here's how to maintain healthy teeth and smile into your golden years:
• Brush your mouth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. Additionally, a toothbrush with soft bristles is best recommended.
• Flossing should be done at the very least once per day and after consuming foods that stick between teeth, such as ribs and blueberries. If you experience trouble flossing, consider flossers, which slip effortlessly between teeth and are tiny enough to be carried in your wallet or purse for a fast clean on the move.
• Avoid sugar-containing meals and beverages.
• Quit smoking or chewing tobacco.
• Seek treatment if you are experiencing dry mouth. Whether it's due to a medication adverse effect or simply age-related. Now's the time to discover new ways to deal with dehydration with dental-friendly gum with xylitol can help enhance saliva generation in the mouth. Also, avoid caffeine as it causes dry mouth.
• Keep an eye on your bad breath. If you've been treating it with mints. It might be a red flag.
• Do not stay with ill-fitting dental appliances. Do not overlook a detachable partial, a pair of dentures, or a tooth bridge that seems to be creating complications. These dental appliances produce mouth blisters, which may stop you from brushing properly. You can't stop getting older, but your teeth don't have to with proper dental hygiene.
Visit us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa to stay on top of your oral health! Contact us today to schedule an appointment to treat age-related dental issues so you can retain your smile for a long.
