Getting older brings lots of changes, and it also means increased risk for oral health problems. Even if you practice good dental hygiene, there are some issues that may arise in your senior years. Your dentist and doctor can help you as these challenges come along. Here are some situations that you may encounter as a senior adult.
Dry mouth
Your mouth may become overly dry due to decreased saliva production. This can result from medical treatments like radiation, medication side effects, and some diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome. If untreated, dry mouth can harm your teeth and gums.
Gum disease
This is caused by plaque buildup, and is worsened with ill-fitting appliances, poor diet, tobacco use, and certain diseases like diabetes, anemia, and cancer.
Tooth sensitivity
Your gums naturally recede over time and can expose unprotected areas of your teeth. Those areas become sensitive to cold or hot foods and beverages.
Darkened teeth
Your teeth may darken from a lifetime of consuming foods and drinks prone to staining your teeth. Changes in your dentin, the bone-like tissue under your tooth enamel, may also darken your teeth.
Tooth loss
The risk for tooth loss is heightened if you have advanced gum disease.
Decreased sense of taste
Advancing age can impair your taste buds. Loss of taste is also impacted by some diseases, medicines, and wearing dentures.
Denture-induced stomatitis
Dentures that don’t fit properly, poor oral hygiene, or an increase in the fungus Candida albicans can cause this condition. The tissue under your dentures becomes swollen and painful.
Thrush
If the fungus Candida albicans grows too much in your mouth, you will develop thrush. Diseases or drugs affecting the immune system can trigger fungus growth.
