It’s a myth that as we age we lose all our natural teeth. With proper care, one can preserve its natural teeth and beautiful smile even after the age of 60. Common problems faced as we age related to our oral health are:
- Cavity: cavity in old age is commonly because of dry mouth, however, side effect of various medicines is another cause.
- Gum diseases: This is another very common problem among older adults. This is caused by the bacteria in plaque. This bacteria causes gums to swell because of irritation, makes them red and may also cause bleeding. Regular Dental cleaning can prevent such kind of a disease.
- Mouth cancer: Mouth cancer is detected mostly in older adults and regular doctor check-ups are essential after the age of 60 as the symptoms of mouth cancer are difficult to detect in the early stages.
- Darkening of teeth: this can be cause by the consumption of stain-causing food over a lifetime and sometimes because of change in dentin.
- Decrease in the sense of taste: aging generally causes reduced sense of taste. Other reasons for the same could be various diseases, medications and dentures.
- Decaying of roots: This can be cause by decaying acids.
- Gum related diseases: Use of tobacco, improper care, cancer, diabetes, poor diet, etc. are various reasons of gum related diseases. These diseases lead to tooth loss and uneven jawbone.
- Denture-induced stomatitis: problem caused because of an improper denture.
- Thrush: various diseases affect the immune system that can cause overgrowth of the fungus in mouth.
To maintain good oral health it’s important for all individuals, irrespective of age to:
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Floss between teeth once a day
- Clean dentures daily with a cleanser made specifically for dentures
- Visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups
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