Dental Care for the Elderly: Why It’s Important and How to Make It Affordable

Why is Dental Care so Important?

 

Dental care is crucial for maintaining not just your oral health but your overall robustness. Taking care of teeth doesn’t become less important as you get older. Continuous dental checkups and cleanings will help reduce the risk of serious dental problems at any age.

 

For people over 65, problems with teeth and gums can be hurtful and debilitating depending on their teeth type. They can affect your facial appearance, nutritional intake, talking abilities, and much more. So keeping your mouth in good condition is a must for staying healthy.

 

Dental Problems that Commonly Affects a Senior’s Health

 

Here is the list of Dental issues that commonly affect seniors: 

 

Tooth Decay:

 

Due to the fact that many elderly persons with arthritis or other illnesses that impair hand dexterity are unable to brush or floss their teeth adequately. Poor dental hygiene habits can lead to tartar and plaque buildup, which can eventually lead to decay.

 

To keep your pearly whites healthy, drink water after each meal and limit your sugar intake. An electric toothbrush might make it easier to clean your teeth completely. You might also wish to consult a hygienist or dentist for particular advice on how to keep elders’ teeth healthy if they have limited dexterity. 

 

Receding Gums: 

 

Seniors may notice that their gums are receding from their teeth over time. The teeth become sensitive to touch, as well as heat and cold extremes, as the roots become exposed. As exposed roots lack protective enamel, they are more susceptible to decay than the rest of the tooth.

 

Genetics, brushing too hard, or grinding your teeth can lead to receding gums. Gum disease and tooth loss become more likely if you don’t get proper treatment. A deep cleaning may be sufficient, although a gum graft may be required in some situations. 

 

Dry Mouth:

 

Saliva production decreases with age. As a result, acids and sugars build up in the mouth, increasing the risk of cavities in seniors. Swollen tongues and cracked lips can make speaking and swallowing difficult.

 

Hundreds of medications, including those for asthma, depression, high cholesterol, high blood pressure etc., can cause dry mouth. Anemia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease are all examples of medical disorders that might cause it.

 

Drink plenty of water, use a humidifier to bring moisture to the air, avoid soft drinks, coffee, and alcohol to relieve dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free chewing gum can help since it encourages saliva production. 

 

Darkened teeth:

 

The enamel on our teeth thins as we get older, revealing the underlying dentin (a greyish-yellow bone structure). The teeth appear darker as a result of this. Smoking, chewing tobacco, or drinking tea, coffee, or colas for a long time can also discolour the teeth. Chemotherapy and blood pressure medicines can both exacerbate the condition. Ask your dentist about whitening procedures, tooth bondings, or porcelain veneers if you’re concerned. 

 

Gum disease:

 

Gum disease, also known as periodontitis or periodontal disease, is caused by plaque buildup. The gums turn red, swollen, and bleed easily at first. The bone and connective tissues that support the teeth might deteriorate with time, causing the teeth to fall out. Gum disease is, in fact, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

 

Smoking, improper diet, and dentures that don’t fit correctly can all cause gum disease. Diabetes, anaemia, heart disease, and cancer are just a few of the medical disorders that might exacerbate the problem.

 

Following a nutritious diet, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and getting frequent professional cleanings are the best ways to prevent gum disease. 

 

Oral cancer:

 

Smoking, heavy drinking, and a family history of cancer all increase your risk.

 

Oral cancer can affect your teeth, gums, lips, cheeks, or tongue. Common symptoms include white or red bumps or patches, sores that bleed easily and don’t go away after a couple of weeks, pain, hoarseness, and difficulty moving the tongue or jaw. If you are diagnosed with the condition, please visit the dentist nearby for an emergency because you may require surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. 

 

See your dentist on a regular basis to help avoid oral cancer, and ask them to look into any discoloured areas or chronic sores in and around your mouth. If you use dentures, make sure they fit correctly and don’t irritate your mouth’s tissues. It’s also a good idea to cut back on alcohol and quit smoking.

 

How can you make Senior Dental Services More Affordable?

 

The number of elderly who haven’t been to a dentist in years is upsetting. Most of them will tell you they don’t have the money to see a provider when asked. The best way to get a Senior Dental service is to compare an advanced dental care clinic’s service plans. To do so, please see the below point.

 

Compare Plans and Select the Appropriate Dental Clinic

 

The Internet is the best way to compare the cost of dental service clinics and dentists in Rouse Hill are providing to you. The price may differ due to the services they offer in the package, so you have to make the right choice. Better plans pay the dental provider directly. You will know what your out of pocket costs are going to be in advance. You can budget to pay for them, and the insurance coverage will take care of the rest once the dental office has submitted the claim.

 

What does Routine dental care include?

 

There are dental plans for the oral health of seniors that only cover the routine needs, which include: 

  • Annual exams 
  • X-ray 
  • A cleaning every six months

Dental care should be a top concern for senior citizens. Now that you have a better awareness of the obstacles you may face, the treatments you may require, you can take control of your oral health and move forward with greater confidence.

 

Regular health care checkups can help you avoid pain in the mouth and gums. It can help the dentist to recognise signs of problems before they can progress. Getting help early on is going to save you money on those more extensive procedures too.