GERIATRIC CARE

For most people, aging involves an increasing number of medical appointments. The necessity to consult with a variety of specialists, involving as it does investments of both time and money, may cause some seniors to put dental appointments on the back burner. This is never a good idea. Not only are there some oral and dental problems that crop up as you get older, but your dentist may be your first line of defense for a variety of other medical issues. Going for regular dental check-ups as you age is essential for maintaining overall as well as dental health.

Problems More Common as We Age

Though dental and oral problems can occur at any age, the following issues are more likely to present as we pass through middle age and into our senior years:

• Darkened teeth — caused by changes in dentin (it yellows over time), thinning enamel that allows the dentin to show through, and years of consuming stain-causing beverages and foods
• Diminished sense of taste — caused by simple aging, dentures, and certain medications
• Denture-induced stomatitis or thrush –soreness and inflammation of tissue underlying a denture, or on the tongue, caused by a fungus, usually the result of ill-fitting dentures, certain diseases or medications, and/or poor dental hygiene
• Dry mouth — reduced saliva production as a result of medication side effects, diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome, or radiation of the head and neck area
• Gum disease — results from accumulation of plaque, made worse by remaining food particles, smoking, poorly fitted dentures or bridges, poor diet, diseases such as anemia, cancer and diabetes
• Root decay — gum recession due to aging can expose tooth roots which, since they have no enamel to protect them, are more likely to decay than the tooth’s crown
• Tooth loss — most often the result of gum disease
• Uneven jawbone — usually caused by lost teeth that are not replaced, permitting other teeth to move into the remaining open spaces

Problems with the mouth and teeth may be exacerbated by aging in other ways. Seniors may have arthritis in their hands and fingers that make performing oral hygiene tasks more difficult. They may also be prevented from performing what used to be automatic hygiene tasks by forgetfulness or fatigue.

Dental care can be even more important as we age than when we are young, since the dentist may be the first to discover an oral cancer or an oral sign of a systemic disease, like diabetes or heart disease. As you get older, it is essential to keep oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist a priority.