Dental Care for Seniors by Family Dentist on Chinguacousy, RD

As you get older, your teeth and gums need special care. Family Dentist on Chinguacousy, RD says that the risk of dental caries and periodontitis increases with age.

How can that be? The explanation lies in the anatomy: With increasing age, the gums recede in humans. The jawbone also gradually degrades. As a result, the spaces between the teeth become larger and the edge of the gums retracts.

Another reason: with age, the flow of saliva decreases. However, saliva contains important protective factors against tooth decay and also ensures the breakdown of deposits.

The fact that less saliva is produced is a natural process, but the use of certain medications makes it easier.

The risk of tooth decay and periodontitis increases with age

Due to the anatomical changes, in addition to tooth decay, periodontitis also occurs more frequently in old age. In the worst case, there is even a risk of tooth loss.

Because if the gums and the jawbone recede significantly due to inflammation, the teeth lack support. This is why careful, age-appropriate oral hygiene is particularly important for seniors.

And that means that the teeth and spaces between the teeth must be thoroughly cleaned of plaque once a day. The emphasis is on "thorough": it is better to brush your teeth carefully for 4-5 minutes once a day than superficially several times.

Because the bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontal disease need about 24 hours to do their harmful work. They can attack wherever deposits are not completely removed.

Dental Care Tips

Participate in oral care

As long as it is still possible, the person in need of care should actively participate in oral care. Give tips and - if necessary - then clean up the left-out areas: If you have severely restricted motor skills, more help is needed. Even so, involve the person in need of care in cleaning their teeth by explaining each step in detail.

Tips to read: Dental cleaning at Home

Varied menu

Chewing is good for your teeth and jaw muscles. Therefore, the meals should not be pureed if possible. Whole grain bread and vegetables encourage chewing and promote salivation.

On the other hand, sweets and sticky foods that get stuck in the teeth or on dentures are only on the menu in exceptional cases. Especially after meals, the elderly need to drink enough at all times! The water washes away food particles from the mouth and allows the teeth to recover from acid attacks.

The correct fit of a full or partial denture also determines how healthy and varied the person in need of care can eat. With a poorly fitting prosthesis, eating can even be painful in the worst case. Then there is a risk of malnutrition. Implant-supported dentures are therefore still a good option for senior citizens to still be able to eat what tastes good and is healthy with fixed teeth.

Use a soft toothbrush

The gums of seniors in need of care are often much more sensitive. Therefore, teeth should be cleaned with a soft toothbrush. This means that there is no risk of the brush being pressed too hard while brushing and damaging teeth and gums.

Clean dentures regularly

If the person in need of care wears a denture, it must also be cleaned daily. To do this, the prosthesis must be removed and cleaned both on the outside and the inside with a special toothbrush. A pH-neutral soap or washing paste is recommended as a cleaning agent.

Use dental floss & space brushes

With age, the gums recede more and more, making the gaps between the teeth larger. Food residues can get stuck here, leading to plaque and bad breath. It is therefore important to clean the spaces between the teeth every day with the appropriate tools – inter-dental brushes and dental floss are particularly suitable here.

Have existing inflammation treated

If the person in need of care already suffers from inflamed gums, the inflammation must definitely be treated. Without help from the dentist, gingivitis will quickly develop into periodontitis (bacterial inflammation of the gums) - and then more than just the gums are at risk. Periodontitis increases the risk of, among other things:

• Diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Tooth loss
• Stomach cancer

Toothbrush with a large handle

A special toothbrush makes cleaning easier if the motor skills are already limited. The KAI technique should be used: chewing surfaces, outer surfaces, inner surfaces. Don't forget your tongue either. With a so-called tongue scraper, plaque can be removed from the surface.

Fluorides protect tooth enamel

The mineral fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and protects teeth from tooth decay. This is particularly important in the elderly, as root caries is a major problem here. Due to the painful illness, there is a risk of malnutrition and serious damage to health. Family Dentist on Chinguacousy, RD recommends toothpaste should therefore contain fluoride to reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Tooth enamel is the outer surface of layer teeth. Enamel shell is the hardest tissue in the human body. Tooth enamel helps to protect against tooth decay and other dental problems and makes your teeth makes them strong and healthy.