Age Related Problems in Dental Health

Like many age-related issues, dental and gum health also has its roots in declining physiological health. Since the formation of new cells occurs at a slower rate and in some cases even stops, the tissues become less and less elastic. The density of bones decreases leading to wearing off of enamel among other problems. The functionality of the immune system is reduced making mouth infections more common and recovering from them may take a lot of time. In this article we will look at certain conditions that result from aging and how best to mitigate them.

Dry Mouth

Just like we need tears in our eyes to moisten, lubricate and nourish them, we need saliva in our mouths to moisten, cleanse and digest the food. When the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to do those functions, your mouth feels dry and uncomfortable in general. This condition, also known as xerostomia can be caused due to a variety of causes in senior adults. It may be due to the side effects of certain medicines and non-prescription drugs for diseases like depression, anxiety, pain, cold and allergies among a host of others. Or it may be caused due to the diseases themselves. Nerve damage during an accident can also result in this as well as severe dehydration. Your best bet against a dry mouth is managing these diseases, preventing tooth decay, and increasing the flow of saliva if possible.

Gum diseases

The most evident sign of aging is arguably the receding of gums. In this condition, the gum pulls away from the roots exposing the more sensitive parts of the teeth to bacteria and other infections. This infection may trigger sensitivity, inflammation and may lead to decay. Although most gum diseases are caused due to improper dental hygiene, the opposite also is true. If you brush your teeth too hard, you are doing more harm than good as this forceful activity too causes the gums to recede. Gingivitis is an early type of gum disease, where the combined build-up of plaque and tartar causes inflammation of the gums. Brushing and flossing every day and visiting your dentist once in a while are effective strategies against gum diseases. We all know how costly the visit to the dentists can be, therefore Sign-up for Multimed-USA Dental Medical Discount Plan if you are currently living in Miami to avail yourself best discounts.

Cavities

Even if you have never experienced cavities in your adult life, they can develop during the later part of your age. The most common cause of developing cavities in senior age is dry mouth- the condition we spoke of earlier. Some of the strategies you can employ to battle cavities can be:

1. Use mouthwash or oral moisturizers
2. Discuss the dry mouth issue with your dentist so that they may suggest an alternate
3. Sugar-free gum can be used to boost saliva production
4. Avoiding foods that can aggravate the problem of dry mouth like coffee, alcohol, carbonated soft drinks and acidic fruit juices is another effective strategy
5. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride
6. Stay hydrated at all times

Mouth Cancer

The American Cancer Society recorded 54,010 new cases of oral activity or oropharyngeal cancers which resulted in 10,850 deaths in 2020-2021. The lifetime risk of developing oral cavity and oropharyngeal is 1 in 60 for men and 1 in 140 for women. This cancer that can develop in any parts of the mouth has easily identifiable symptoms such as a sore that doesn’t heal, a white or red lump or patch inside the mouth. The risk factors are tobacco use, heavy alcohol use and a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The treatment for cancer includes surgery or radiation therapy and in some cases chemotherapy is also advised. It is undoubtedly an expensive procedure and if you Sign-up for a Dental Medical Discount Plan you may get some respite from the medical bills. This discount plan as mentioned earlier also provides access to the best service and care providers in Miami. Planning ahead for some of the most expensive medical procedures will not only save you money but also allow you to best prepare for life with the condition.