Oral health for seniors: everything you need to know

As we age, our entire body becomes tired and weak. Of course, teeth are no exception. Given the important influence of oral health on our entire body, it is crucial to take the utmost care of it so as not to create a vicious circle between the mouth and the rest of the body.

Nutrident advises you on the checks to be made and the good behaviors to adopt as we age.

The daily routine

If there's one thing that should never change throughout your life, it's the care you give your teeth. The daily maintenance is always the same, you must brush your teeth after each meal.

The dental jet

The use of the dental jet is an excellent complement that helps to dislodge the last residues that survived the passage of the brush. The jet also massages the gums to stimulate blood circulation and keep them healthy.

The electric toothbrush

If you don't have any particular problems, using an electric toothbrush is more effective than a manual brush. electric toothbrush is more effective than a manual brush. If you have recurring dental problems, such as periodontitis, seek advice from your dentist first.

The visit to the dentist

The annual control visit is also a must. This is an opportunity to perform an overall check-up and a scaling that cleans the teeth thoroughly. If you have particularly hard saliva, you should know that the social security reimburses you for two scaling operations per year.

What are the most common dental problems among seniors?

Cavities

The dental caries is the most common problem at any age. As you age, they can develop further if you don't stay hydrated and produce less saliva. This one has the virtue of cleaning your teeth permanently. In its absence, bacteria have free rein to dig cavities in your teeth.

Another reason for cavities can be attributed to medications, some of which have deleterious side effects on the teeth. When they weaken the enamel, it is more painful to brush your teeth, which leads some people to skip brushing at times. Fatigue or memory problems lead to forgetting to brush your teeth. In all cases, the vulnerability to bacteria is doubled.

The specificity of cavities in seniors is to attack the base of the tooth which is uncovered by the retraction of the gums.

Dental erosion

Once the baby teeth fall out, we only have one set of teeth for the rest of our lives. It is normal for teeth to wear out from chewing. The enamel becomes thinner and may crack; the tooth is more sensitive, especially to heat and cold, it may yellow, and even become slightly deformed.

You should report any sensitivity problems to your dentist, as they may prevent you from eating properly. It can also make you adopt postures that will deteriorate the balance of your mouth, by taking for example the habit of always chewing on the same side. The dentist will find the appropriate solution to consolidate your teeth (veneer, filling to fill the enamel deficit, etc.).

Implants, crowns and other dental prostheses

At any time, if your dentist deems it necessary, he or she will suggest different solutions to replace one or more teeth that are too old to be treated. Not all of them are feasible and sometimes you will not have a choice.

The techniques used are the same at any age: crown, bridge, implant, only/inlay and removable denture. The choice is made according to the configuration of your jaw, your general health, the condition of your teeth and your financial means.

The dental prostheses are very poorly reimbursed by the social security and, if you have teeth that do not age well, you are strongly advised to choose a mutual insurance company with a complete dental package.

If your dentist has to remove your teeth, not replacing them is not only unsightly and embarrassing, but also disabling by preventing you from eating properly. If you don't chew enough, it can affect your digestive system.

The expiration of dental prostheses

There is no expiration date on dentures, but they are perishable. Over time, your dentures can crack, which can lead to infection, inflammation and/or abscesses. They can also break.

Dentures such as crowns, for example, have a lifespan of between twenty and twenty-five years. At some point, you will have to change them.

Age-related diseases

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, which affects most women from the age of 50, causes bones to deteriorate and become porous. The disease does not spare the jawbones, which can eventually cause teeth to loosen and fall out.

You should treat osteoporosis with a diet enriched with vitamin D and calcium, as well as other supplements recommended by your general practitioner.

If your teeth are starting to loosen, there are operations to remedy this. They are usually long and painful.

It should be noted that people with anorexia develop certain diseases with age and osteoporosis is one of them. Anorexia consists of depriving oneself of food or eating a lot of food before vomiting, which does not give the body time to feed itself.

People with anorexia accumulate all the deficiencies that the body compensates for throughout life. However, there comes a time when the body is exhausted and the bill is frequently severe. Total tooth loss can be one of the consequences of anorexia.

Another repercussion of anorexia is the acid that rises from the stomach and accelerates the corrosion of the teeth at the back of the mouth.

Gingivitis and periodontitis

Gingivitis and periodontitis are not specific to age, but if you are prone to them, they tend to get worse over time. Decreased saliva and hormonal changes do not help.

The slightest gingivitis must be treated quickly to avoid the risk of developing into periodontitis.

FAQ

What are the consequences of poor dental hygiene in the elderly?

As for all people, poor oral hygiene can lead to pathologies such as gingivitis or periodontitis.

What products should I use to clean the teeth of an elderly person?

It is important to use gentle dental hygiene products such as saline toothpaste or propolis mouthwash.

How do you brush the teeth of a person with Alzheimer's disease?

In the early stages of the disease, the person in question is still able to brush his or her own teeth. The important thing is to make sure she does this every day and to remind her to brush her teeth at least twice a day.