Rebecca Smith relays the importance of oral hygiene for an ageing population.

Oral health is critical across different stages of life. However, seniors and the ageing population as a whole are highly aware of their oral health since they are prone to dental issues and other medical conditions as they age. As a study by Harvard Health Publishing discovered, the ageing population often suffers higher rates of numerous dental issues. As a result, patients and dental professionals are now aware that the dental health of our elderly population is seriously threatened.

Noting the latest advancements in medicine, there is a growing number of individuals reaching an advanced age. In this article, we will discuss the essence of good oral health for senior citizens and how they should maintain their oral hygiene to reduce the risk of poor dental health further down the line.

The importance of oral care

The lack of appropriate oral health is compounded by other health considerations in older adults. Having a stable oral care routine is important in ensuring their overall health. The following are a couple of reasons behind the importance of oral hygiene in an ageing population:

Infections can be deadly

Oral infections often lead to issues like pneumonia, dead teeth, root decay, heart diseases, and gum diseases. A few of these infections, such as root decay, are extremely painful; however, others like pneumonia, can prove deadly.

A higher risk of disease

If you don’t take care of your teeth, your blood sugar levels often spike, leading to diabetes. If you have gum or mouth infections, the bacteria often gets carried to to your heart or lungs. Good oral hygiene is the ideal way to minimise the risk of such diseases.

Dry mouth

Some older adults often take various medications, many of which lead to dry mouth. The mouth craves saliva to safeguard teeth from decay or prevent oral infections. When left untreated, chronic dry mouth leads to cavities and gum diseases. The conditions can also lead to difficulty eating, as malnutrition can develop.

Gum disease (periodontitis)

Around 47.2 per cent of older adults about 30 years of age or older encounter some periodontal disease, which is often considered gum disease. Periodontal diseases, if left untreated can be dangerous, since the infection can spread to other parts of the body, making consuming anything solid or drinking fluids extremely painful.

Specific ailments linked to oral health

Some conditions are often interlinked with poor oral health. Maintaining a good oral health routine can aid the ageing population in treating and eliminating the chances of a few specific illnesses. The following are a few of the common ailments connected to oral health.

Pneumonia

Whenever you have mouth infections, even with leftover food in your mouth, bacteria, and food get aspirated into the lungs. This process often leads to lung infection or pneumonia.

Diabetes

Oral infections on silver crown teeth can spike blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes. It is a treatable condition, but it is incurable, and therefore, it is essential to get diagnosed regularly for any kind of oral infection. It is also essential to know about preexisting diabetes conditions that can lead to disease, infection in the gums, and tooth decay.

Heart disease

An infection in the throat can reach the inner lining of the heart, causing endocarditis. Antibiotics can treat endocarditis, but they do place a lot of stress on the heart.

The solutions

While you may notice that your teeth and other structures inside of your mouth grow weaker as you grow older, there are a lot of things that you can do to help prevent decay or other issues from happening. Here are some pointers you can follow to see how you can care for your teeth more successfully.

Brush twice a day

Round-headed bristle brushes are preferable if one can afford to use an electric toothbrush. Some people have sensitive teeth, and they feel pain each time they brush. If you experience this issue, you should try to use anti-sensitivity toothpaste rather than avoiding a good oral health routine.

Floss daily

Place the dental floss between your teeth and move it in a sawing motion. Remember to floss under the gum line. When you are just beginning to floss, do not be alarmed when your gums seem to bleed in reaction. This will cease as your gums become healthy and stronger in the long run.

Clean dentures every day

Dentures are breeding grounds for bacteria. This means that, with normal toothpaste, it is rarely possible to remove all the bacteria on the teeth’ surfaces. Dentures should be thoroughly cleaned with water and then treated with a denture cleaning solution in liquid form that is specifically used for this purpose.

Smoking and tobacco cessation

It is now common knowledge that smoking is associated with several dental problems. Tobacco in all its forms contributes heavily to oral cancer and can also result in infections. Quitting tobacco is a tough task, but is also a classic win-win situation for most oral and systemic health aspects. If you are having difficulties in quitting smoking, see your GP for a list of replacements, supportive organisations and behaviour modifications that will assist in this process.

Regular dental checkups

Through checkups, your dentist can ask for X-rays and physically assess your mouth for abnormalities, including tooth decay, receding gums, and even oral cancers. After a dental professional determines that there could be cause for concern, it may well be recommended that you visit a hygienist who can perform a thorough cleaning to strengthen your tooth integrity. Do not neglect going for regular dental checkups – even if you don’t currently have any pain or discomfort in your mouth. Over 30 per cent of adults have tooth decay and are unaware of it!

Even though elderly people suffer from more oral diseases than the young, everyday oral hygiene and regular dental visits will contribute hugely to better oral health. In case any person develops some particular health complaints that are associated with oral health, it is always worth reminding yourself that prevention and consistency are the way forward – not leaving it too late!

References available on request.

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