As we age, we become quite vulnerable to various dental problems such as decaying or infections in our teeth. Therefore, proper dental care for senior citizens has become quite necessary to avoid these problems.
One of the very common problems among seniors is dry mouth which leads to the formation of various dental problems. Dry mouth occurs due to side-effects of various medications of high blood pressure, allergies, asthma, high cholesterol, anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, etc.
For proper dental care, seniors should avail a plan as soon as possible in order to get the best treatment. Moreover, if this is not treated on time, the situation worsens because during old age the ligaments and muscles which hold the teeth together also starts getting affected from the onset of any kind of tooth decay or infections.
Here are a couple habits to be followed to prevent dry mouth:
- Use oral moisturizers like mouth wash
- Our mouth needs constant lubrication, so drink lots of water at regular intervals
- Consult your physician regarding the medications which trigger dry mouth
- Beverages like alcohol, coffee, or soft drinks should be avoided as these stimulate dry mouth and cause irritation
Apart from dry mouth, another common problem is the gum disease. This causes swelling and bleeding of gums. It does not cause much pain until it reaches its advanced stage, and because it is painless, a lot of people ignore these symptoms. With time, gums start stretching away from the teeth thereby forming pockets. These pockets trap more food particles making the situation even worse.
These dental problems are very common in senior citizens aged above 60 or 65. By availing proper dental care, seniors can maintain good dental health from the beginning as this is the only way to secure it before diseases and infections damages your teeth and makes it worse.