Why Do Old Age People Have To Visit A Dentist?

Check why older adults need to visit a dentist: As we step into our golden years, we need to take extra care of our bodies as we tend to be at high risk of suffering from different health issues. As our oral health is linked to our whole-body well-being, we as an old adult must adopt a healthy lifestyle including proper oral hygiene practice and regular check-ups by a dentist to prevent various oral and general health issues.

How Often Should Seniors Go to the Dentist? 

For those who have senior loved ones in their family, taking care of their elderly is not limited to keeping a check on their physical capabilities and nutrition intake, but even their teeth and gums health. The elderly need someone to remind them to practise good oral hygiene and visit the dentist or help them prioritise their oral health.

This blog focuses on why old age people must visit the dentist. Read on to learn about what dental problems the elderly face, why oral care is important for the elderly, and how often the should elderly visit the dentist.

What dental issues do old age people have?

Old age people mostly face receding gums which makes their teeth more sensitive. They are unable to properly brush and floss their teeth because of their poor eyesight and shaky hands. Furthermore, they may have lost some or all of their teeth and have bridges or dentures that require special cleaning and care.

Most elderly suffer from one or more health issues and would have been taking regular medications. As a result, they would have dry mouths because of less saliva production and so their teeth would not have much protection against decay. Other dental issues commonly experienced by the elderly include gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer.

Why elderly visit a dentist?

Dental healthcare is of utmost importance for old age people.

By visiting a dental clinic, the elderly can manage or prevent their oral health issues. The prevention and appropriate treatment of oral health issues of the elderly are achievable by:

• assessment of oral health on a routine basis by a dental professional
• professional support and guidance and daily oral care
• senior dental healthcare planning.

How Often Should Seniors Go to the Dentist? 

Here are the reasons why seeing a dentist and receiving professional dental care is important for old age people.

1. To have improved oral health.

The elderly with poor oral health have restricted diet plans because of their teeth-impaired chewing and biting abilities. By seeing a dentist, the elderly can get their oral health issues timely detected and appropriately treated before they become serious and affect their physical health. The elderly can manage and prevent their gum and teeth problems with the support and guidance of dental hygiene experts.

• Receding gums and sensitive teeth: Dentists may help or advise old age people with the best aids and techniques to use for proper teeth cleaning. To minimise sensitivity, they may recommend effective mouthwash and fluoride treatment.
• Oral appliance care and maintenance: For those seniors who have bridges or dentures, dentists can guide them on how to care for and maintain them.
• Dry mouth for Older Adults Need to Visit a Dentist guide: For seniors with dry mouth, dentists may recommend special products that increase saliva in the mouth.
• Gum disease: Old adults with noticeable symptoms of gum disease (periodontitis) are provided professional treatment to manage their condition. If during a dental check-up, the elderly is detected with plaque or tartar build-up, the dentist performs professional dental cleaning. In severe cases of periodontitis, dentists perform scaling or root planing.
• Oral cancer: For old adults having poor nutrition, smoking cigarettes, or infections, oral cancer is very likely so a routine visit to a dentist to detect early-stage oral cancer is important.
• Tooth and jawbone loss: Old people who have some or all of their teeth because of wear and tear, gum disease, tooth decay, or ill-fitted dentures and are facing oral discomfort and eating and speech difficulty as well as uneven jawline can get implants.
• Darkened teeth: Old age people tend to experience wearing of their teeth enamel and stained teeth. Dentists can address the concern with professional teeth whitening or dental bonding and advice on oral hygiene practices and diet.
• Root decay: Poor oral hygiene routine, an illness, prolonged use of dentures, or side effects of certain regularly taken medications could cause root decay which can worsen to cause infection, abscesses, and tooth loss. By seeing a dentist, old people can avoid experiencing gum recession. Dentists help save the decayed tooth with grafting surgery or root canal treatment and when it can’t be saved, they perform tooth extraction.

2. To minimise their risk of suffering from issues related to the health of the rest of their body.

If oral health issues are not addressed timely and left untreated, they can lead to physical health problems too. Some health issues that are linked to oral health include heart disease, pneumonia, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

3. To have a better quality of remaining life.

Poor oral health in the elderly can affect the elderly’s facial aesthetics, self-esteem, and confidence as well as their ability to talk, have food of their choice, and get proper rest or sleep. Dentists can help identify the oral health issues of the elderly and provide them with the right treatment so that they can live better quality lives without feeling any oral discomfort.

How often should old age people see a dentist?

For everyone who wants to know why Older Adults Need to Visit a Dentist, irrespective of their age or stage of life they are in, routine dental check-ups and daily oral care are important. So, elderly people in need of elderly dental care should visit a dentist a minimum of two times every year. They may even need to schedule dental appointments more frequently if they are suffering from oral health issues. 

Schedule an appointment for senior dental care at First Point Dental Clinic!

Good overall health comes along with good oral health. By investing money and time in oral health, people can live the best quality of life during their old age. With proper oral care, the likelihood of the development of oral health issues in old age is reduced.At First Point Dental Clinic, we understand the oral health risks associated with growing age and the need to properly care for teeth and gums in the elderly. Our friendly, knowledgeable team of dental professionals can combat oral health problems in old people with a relaxing, supportive environment. We offer elderly dental care services at affordable prices. Contact us today and book your appointment with our dental experts.