The Most Common Oral Health Problems in the Elderly
As people age, there are a lot of physiological changes that will be encountered, like a weakened immune system, having very fragile bones, hormonal changes and the development of chronic diseases. Because of these uncontrollable changes, the elderly become more prone to develop oral health conditions and diseases as well.
The population of the elderly all over the world is continuously increasing; while some of them have managed to keep their natural teeth intact, some have been experiencing a number of oral health diseases and disorders. Because of this, the government along with the dental associations is in the process of working out ways to alleviate this problem through water fluoridation, promotion of ideal oral hygiene and advancements in dental technology. However, age is something that could not be prevented; these old members of the society are still prone to developing oral health issues.+
Here are some of the most common oral health problems that most elderly people are at risk of:
1. Dental Caries or Tooth Decay. This problem occurs even during childhood, but people in their senior years are more prone to this dilemma because of gum recession and periodontal infections. At this age, root caries is the most common; in fact around 64% of the elderly population at the age of 80 and above has root caries and other portions of the population have coronal caries.
2. Gingivitis or Periodontal Diseases. Since most of the elderly fail at maintaining a good oral hygiene, most of them develop plaque which is developed on the gum margins. This condition, if not treated, will lead to gingivitis or gum inflammation. This may lead to gum bleeding and further infection.
3. Xerostomia or Dry Mouth. This is absolutely the most common oral problem in the elderly especially when they are not well hydrated because the saliva production in this age is reduced. When the mouth is not well lubricated with enough saliva remineralization of the teeth and prevention of fungal infections of the mouth is diminished. Old people with this condition may experience changes in taste, difficulty in speaking and swallowing as well as a burning sensation in the mouth.
These are only some of the most common oral health issues that elderly people are encountering. To prevent these, they should be helped in maintaining good oral hygiene as well as a regular visit to the dental clinic. And in cases where there are already existing dental problems, bringing them to the clinic and having a dentist assess, diagnose and treat the problem will be the best option.
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