Aging causes many changes in the body. As you get older, you can see the lines on your face and skin, you will no longer be able to lift objects all at once, and it will even take a while to move from one place to another. As you grow older, your mouth changes, and the risk of certain diseases such as gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss increases. In some cases, aging plays an important role in changing teeth. In some people, changes in the appearance of the face can cause oral disorders.
Most people think that tooth decay only occurs in young people. By the time you reach the age of 60, you should brush and floss regularly to prevent tooth decay. But according to research, more than 90% of people over the age of 65 have tooth decay. About 20% of the elderly have not treated their tooth decay. Tooth decay in the elderly is definitely not related to poor oral hygiene.
In most cases, tooth decay occurs due to the use of medications prescribed to treat chronic diseases. Most medications cause dry mouth, which provides a favorable environment for the growth of tooth decay bacteria. There are several ways to treat dry mouth, including: adjusting the dose of medication as prescribed by your doctor, drinking more water, and using mouth moisturizers. Your dentist can recommend the use of fluoride gel to increase the strength and strength of your teeth and protect them from decay.
Aging and gum disease
Gum disease is very common in the elderly. People 65 and older; They develop gum disease, which varies from mild to severe. Although the symptoms of gum disease are visible in the later stages of the disease, they are difficult to diagnose in the early stages, which is why the prevalence of gum disease is high. Treatment of the disease can usually improve the condition of the mouth and teeth. The choice of the best treatment depends on the progression of the disease. Some heal without the need for surgery and with deep cleansing of the gum tissue, but others require surgical treatment such as a bone graft or a gum transplant. Regular visits to the dentist mean that you can suppress gum disease before it has a chance to progress or recur.
Tooth loss is usually associated with the aging process. Although older people may lose their teeth and are more prone to using implants or dentures than younger people, there is no reason to lose teeth in old age. One of the reasons for tooth loss during this period is that the sensitivity of the teeth increases with age.
The limbs of the tooth shrink and the patient can no longer feel the pain caused by tooth decay or gum disease. Often this disease is not treated in time and before complete tooth decay. Fortunately, dental care can be prevented by dental care and regular visits to the dentist.
If the patient intends to stop the decay of tooth decay.
Very simple and convenient methods are available to help him achieve this goal. For example, the patient can use an implant and replace it with a tooth. The implant has a natural appearance and is placed permanently in the mouth, so there is no need to remove and clean them and the patient will not have to worry about swallowing them with food.
Smoking and aging
If the patient is 70 or 80 years old and still smokes but has not had lung problems or other illnesses, it is best to quit smoking. Smoking makes a person more prone to gum disease and other oral health problems. Smokers are more prone to tooth decay. Smokers 65 and older have an average of 15 teeth, while non-smokers have an average of 19 teeth. Approximately 50% of smokers 65 and older have no teeth.