Oral Health Problems in the Elderly – 7 Dental Issues

Dental Problems in elderly people are pervasive, and due to poor lifestyle and eating habits, it's increasing exponentially.

These issues result in pain and also create difficulty in eating, which hurts their overall health.

That’s why experts believe that dental issues in the elderly should be treated promptly or avoided altogether.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene, which includes brushing and flossing twice a day, along with a balanced diet, can significantly improve oral health and help prevent dental problems.

Also, don’t forget to get in touch with the best dentist in Patna, Dr. Sachin Kumar, for regular checkups. 

Through these checkups, this dental expert will treat oral diseases in their early stages and also prevent their occurrence. 

So, wait no more and book your appointment now via Dr. Sachin’s official website. Meanwhile, in this blog, we’ll discuss 7 common dental problems that affect elderly people.

7 Dental Problems in the Elderly

Aging is an inevitable process that brings numerous health issues with it. Dental issues are the most common health problems that our elders have to face. Here are some common dental problems that you need to protect yourself from:

1. Periodontal Disease

Commonly known as gum disease as it's an inflammatory condition that affects the gums along with its surrounding tissues.

This disease is very common in the elderly, which is caused by multiple reasons that include plaque and tartar accumulation, bacterial infection, and, most importantly, poor oral hygiene.

Additionally, Smoking, diabetes, hormonal changes, and genetics can also be the reasons for Periodontal disease.

Red and swollen gums that bleed easily when brushing are a symptom of this problem.

You also may experience pus with a gap between the teeth, bad breath, and receding gums that which are symptoms of advanced stages of Periodontal disease.

2. Oral Cancer

It is a type of cancer that develops in the mouth, such as the lips, throat, gums, and tongue.

It generally starts when abnormal cell growth grows rapidly and forms a mass called a tumour. This type of cancer is very common in the elderly or especially those who are above 60. 

The common causes of this issue are consumption of alcohol, tobacco, human papillomavirus (HPV), genetics, and lifestyle. Its symptoms include a non-healing ulcer in the mouth, a lump in the throat, difficulty in swallowing and speaking, a lump in the neck, and white or red patches in the mouth.

So, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult with the doctors immediately.

3. Cavity

Dental Problems in the elderly occur when the bacteria present in their mouth produce acid that causes tooth decay and makes a permanent hole in the tooth.

There are multiple reasons behind this issue, such as Poor oral hygiene, drinking soft drinks, and eating sugary products.

Some of the symptoms of a tooth cavity include toothache, holes in the teeth, stains, sensitivity, and discomfort while eating.

But, their no need to worry because fluoride treatment, tooth extraction, dental fillings, and going for the best root canal treatment in Patna can help to fix this dental problem.

If you are afraid of a root canal, don’t be, because Dr. Sachin’s Dental Clinic provides a painless root canal treatment in Patna. The best is that it's affordable too and provides long-lasting results.

4. Oral Sore

Another name for an oral sore is oral ulcer, which is nothing but a wound or an erosion of the mouth tissue that may look red, white, yellow, or purple.

According to experts, it takes only 2-3 weeks to heal and can be caused by a deficiency of Iron and Vitamin B12.

Other reasons could be bacterial or fungal infection, medications, biting chicks, tobacco, and alcohol consumption.

To fix this issue, you can rinse with antiseptic mouthwash or warm salt water for 20-30 seconds.

Also, using anti-inflammatory pastes can be helpful as they can reduce the soreness and discomfort.

5. Gingivitis

It types of gum disease that cause the gums swollen and bleed due to the accumulation of plaque or bacteria.

Poor Oral hygiene, bad nutrition, hormonal changes, and long-term medication could also cause this disease.

It’s crucial to treat it in its early stage, as it can get worse with time. You can detect it by noticing some symptoms that include bleeding gums and swollen gums, with bad breath.

6. Tooth Loss

Tooth loss is common in growing adults, which can happen because of gum inflammation, injury, poor oral hygiene, or untreated tooth decay. 

However, one can prevent and delay this issue by being aware of its signs and symptoms.

Before a tooth falls out, the tooth gives us some signs, such as bad breath, bleeding gums, and shifting of the teeth.

Also, loosening of the tooth root with frequent pain and discomfort could be a warning sign of tooth loss.

Dentists recommend that to prevent tooth loss, proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups and crucial.

In some cases, the dentist recommends dentures for the patient who has lost most of their teeth.

7. Dry mouth

It is caused by long-term health problems that involve medication and loss of water from the body.

That’s why it's pretty common because our elders are usually suffering from some other disease, which forces them to be on medications.

Additionally, breathing through the mouth, allergies, and the long-term effects of the stroke also play a key role in dry mouth.

It can create difficulty in speaking, chewing, and swallowing food. That’s why it's crucial to consult a doctor to fix this issue and avoid overusing the products, as they may make the situation worse.

So, these were some of the common dental problems in the elderly. If you are your loved ones are struggling with these issues, then wait no more and get in touch with the top dentist in Patna, Dr. Sachin Kumar at Dr. Sachin’s Dental clinic.

To book an online appointment, you can visit the clinic’s official website.

Conclusion

Dental problems in the elderly are not just about broken teeth or gum disease.  There is a wide range of oral conditions, such as cavities, swollen gums, Gingivitis, dry mouth (xerostomia), or even oral cancer, that affect elders.

Remember that age is not the only factor behind the occurrence of this issue. Most of the time, they occur because of the elders' ignorance of oral health and their avoidance of regular dental checkups.

So, it’s your duty to force your elders to brush twice daily, change their brushes monthly, and teach them to rinse their mouth with antiseptic mouthwash.

Also, don’t forget to bring them to the best dentist near you promptly if they experience any symptoms that we have talked about in the blog.

If you reside in the Bailey Road area in Patna, then choosing Dr. Sachin’s Dental Clinic will be the best decision. They provide affordable, effective, and painless procedures that are designed for elders.

Caring for the Elderly means Caring for their Dental health– A little attention can bring a smile and ease their life.