As we get older, our bodies go through a lot of changes. This includes changes that affect our teeth and oral health. These changes are often gradual, but they can be significant as you get older. They can even influence how we take care of our teeth and gums.
While having a healthy smile is always important, aging presents more health-related problems to your teeth. You should get to know how aging affects your oral health.
Changes in Saliva Production
As we get older, one thing that might sneak up on us is making less saliva. Saliva keeps your mouth healthy. Saliva does this by washing away food particles, neutralizing acids, and helps prevent tooth decay.
However, as we age, salivary glands produce less saliva. Unfortunately, this can lead to a condition known as dry mouth or xerostomia. Despite its subtle nature, reduced saliva can be a huge issue for your oral health. It can increase your changes of tooth decay and gum disease.
Impact of Medications
Many older adults take medications for specific health reasons. Yet, some of these medications can have side effects that affect oral health. Certain drugs can cause dry mouth, while others contribute to gum problems and even changes in how you perceive taste. Discuss these potential side effects with your dentist to find solutions that minimize their impact on your oral health.
Increased Risk of Gum Disease
As we age, the risk of developing gum disease tends to increase. The condition creates gum inflammation, bleeding, pain and more. As a result, a patient can experience gum recession, chronic bad breath, difficulty eating, and even tooth loss.
Older adults may find that their gums bleed more easily. This is a common sign of gum disease that you shouldn’t ignore. If you notice bleeding when brushing or flossing, reach out to your dentist for an evaluation. Early intervention can prevent gum disease from progressing.
A few steps can help lower your risk:
- Give Your Teeth Attention Every Day: Brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles.
- Schedule Regular Dental Checkups: Professional cleanings and exams can catch issues before they become serious.
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C, support gum health.
- Quit Smoking: Tobacco use increases the risk of gum disease and interferes with healing.
- Manage Health Conditions: Diabetes and other chronic illnesses can affect your gums. Work with your healthcare team to keep these conditions under control.
By staying proactive and attentive to changes in your gums, you can protect your smile and overall health well into your later years.
Changes in Tooth Sensitivity
As people get older, their teeth often begin to feel more sensitive. This can make eating hot or cold foods uncomfortable. Tooth sensitivity can happen for many reasons, including receding gums and worn teeth. To help with this, try using toothpaste made for sensitive teeth and keep up with regular dental visits.
However, don’t ignore it and assume it will go away just by using sensitive toothpaste. Sensitive teeth are usually a sign of a larger problem with your enamel. Your enamel can deteriorate faster as you age, so it’s more important to see your dentist for this issue.
The Impact of Chronic Conditions
Chronic health conditions like diabetes and osteoporosis can also have serious consequences for your oral health.
Diabetes and Oral Health: A Two-Way Relationship
Diabetes raises blood sugar levels and increases the risk of many oral health complications. High glucose levels in saliva create an ideal environment for harmful bacteria to thrive, causing:
- Gum Disease: People with diabetes are more prone to severe gum infections because of reduced blood flow and weakened immune responses. Inflammation from gum disease can make blood sugar harder to control, creating a vicious cycle.
- Fungal Infections: Elevated sugar levels encourage the growth of Candida albicans. It’s a fungus that causes white patches, soreness, and difficulty swallowing. Those who wear dentures or frequently take antibiotics are at an even higher risk.
- Slow Healing: Diabetes impairs the body’s ability to recover from oral surgeries, extractions, or even minor gum irritation.
- Dry Mouth: Uncontrolled diabetes often reduces saliva production. This can cause pain, tooth decay, and persistent bad breath.
Managing diabetes through diet, medication, and regular dental checkups will mitigate these risks.
Osteoporosis and Jawbone Deterioration
Osteoporosis weakens bones throughout the body, including the jaw. This can cause issues like:
- Tooth Loss: As bone density decreases, the jawbone no longer provides enough support for teeth. This causes loose teeth and eventually lost teeth.
- Dentures and Implant Challenges: Bone loss can make it hard to secure dentures properly or support dental implants.
- Medication-Related Risks: Some osteoporosis drugs (like bisphosphonates) can rarely cause osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). This happens when the jawbone fails to heal after dental procedures. Patients on these medications should tell their dentist before going through any invasive treatments.
Protecting Your Oral Health with Chronic Conditions
If you have diabetes or osteoporosis, practice proactive dental care:
- For Diabetes: Maintain strict blood sugar control, schedule dental cleanings every 3–6 months, and watch for early signs of gum disease.
- For Osteoporosis: Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D, and avoid smoking. Discuss dental treatment plans with both your physician and dentist to lower risks.
Chronic conditions don’t have to ruin your smile. Awareness and proper care can help you maintain strong teeth and gums. If you have diabetes or osteoporosis, regular dental visits are a must to catch and treat problems early.
Challenges in Dental Care
As we age, our hands and fingers might not move as easily as they used to. This can make brushing and flossing properly more challenging. But taking care of your teeth becomes even more important during these years to prevent problems like cavities and gum disease.
There are special tools that can help. An electric toothbrush does most of the work for you, you just need to guide it along your teeth. Floss holders can make cleaning between teeth easier too, since you don’t have to wrap floss around your fingers. These simple changes can make a difference in keeping your mouth healthy.
The key is finding what works best for you. Even if brushing takes a little longer or feels harder than before, sticking with it helps protect your smile. Your dentist can show you the easiest ways to keep your teeth clean as your needs change.
Importance of Regular Dental Visits
Perhaps more than ever, regular visits to the dentist are the best thing older adults can do for their oral health. Dentists can detect early signs of problems before they cause too much damage. Then, they can provide treatments to prevent further issues. Proactive dental care will help you have the best oral health in your later years.