Oral hygiene, undoubtedly, is significant for all age groups. It becomes all the more crucial however as you age. There’s a necessity of taking good care of your dental health and teeth as it could lead to numerous health ailments. Contrary to the popular belief, you can save your natural teeth and make them last a lifetime. This is however “only possible if you care for it properly” suggests experts at a dental care.
As you age, your mouth and its structure change gradually. This could also impact your dental health as the nerves in your teeth can shrink, leading to sensitivity, oral problems, and even cavities. In this case, regular dental assessments are a must because small problems like tooth sensitivity or toothache, if not diagnosed properly could result in bigger problems later in life.
Therefore, if you wish to stay healthy and live longer, give priority to your dental health because you’d be shocked to know the list of diseases linked with poor dental health.
How Aging Impacts Oral Health
Somehow, we as human beings are tuned to believe that our teeth and dental health have no link to aging whatsoever. But just like our body’s tissues, organs, and cells change with time, so do our gums and teeth.
It is a known fact that when our bodies age, sales renew at a slower rate, the immune system and bones can weaken with time, and your tissues are less elastic and a lot thinner. Such changes affect the bone structure and tissues in the mouth as well. This consequently leads to oral health problems and various other risks in later years.
Common Dental Health problems in older adults
Periodontal disease
Are periodontal cleanings necessary? Although gum diseases should always be a concern among all, older adults should be all the more careful as a periodontal disease could lead to severe health problems. Gum diseases are, for a fact, common because until it has reached its advanced stage, it is, in most cases, painless. This is why it goes unnoticed and unobserved. In advanced stages, the ligaments, gums, and bones supporting the teeth weaken and eventually destroy. Regular visits to union dental Houston TX can help diagnose gum diseases at an early stage and be easily treated. Schedule appointments for periodontal cleaning at the best dental clinic in Houston regularly.
Dry Mouth
Oral Health and wellness have a lot to do with saliva. It plays an important role in maintaining dental health as it helps in the maintenance of healthy gums and the protection of teeth from decay. With age, there is a decrease in saliva production due to natural reasons, health conditions, and medications. This increases the risk for yeast infection in the mouth, problems in chewing, swallowing, and tasting, tooth decay, and mouth sores.
Medications for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, depression, and even pain can affect the salivary glands in older adults. Health conditions like stroke, Sjögren syndrome, and diabetes can impact saliva production in the body. Consult the best dentist near 77093 to keep your dental health intact.
Oral Cancer
People older than the age of 45 are more vulnerable to oral cancer. Although, smoking, alcohol, and consuming tobacco in excess increases the risk for oral cancer, poor oral and dental hygiene could also result in oral cancer diagnosis.
How to Protect Your Teeth and Gum
Dentists at a dental care 77087 recommend regular visits to keep oral diseases and issues at bay. Along with that, proper care and maintenance would help in great lengths to maintain dental health.
- Switch to tap water as it contains fluoride, it helps prevent tooth decay.
- Regular visits to the best dental offices in Houston.
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles or an electric toothbrush. Brush twice daily.
- Quit smoking and using tobacco.
- Clean your partial or full dentures every day.
To conclude, it is important to adopt healthy oral habits right from the start. It is never too late to make smart choices about lifestyle and diet. Visit a dental care Greenspoint
