This information was compiled for General Dentistry. Your dentist cares about long-term dental health for you and your family and demonstrates that concern by
belonging to the Academy of General Dentistry. As one of the 35,000 general dentists in the United Sates and Canada who are member of the Academy, your dentists
participates in an ongoing program of professional development and continuing education to remain current with advances in the profession and to provide quality patient
treatment. Visit the AGD’s website at www.agd.org. You have permission to photocopy this page and distribute it to your patients.
Oral Health For Seniors
How can I take care of my teeth?
Proper oral care can keep you smiling
well into retirement. Brushing at least
twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
and a soft-bristle brush are as
important as ever. Flossing can help
you save your teeth by removing
plaque between teeth and below the
gum line that your toothbrush cannot
reach.
What are some problems I
should watch for?
Gingivitis. Most people don't
realize how important it is to take
care of their gums.
Gingivitis is caused by the
bacteria found in plaque that
attack the gums.
Symptoms of gingivitis
include red,
swollen gums and
possible bleeding when
you brush.
If you have any of
these symptoms, see a
dentist at once. Gingivitis
can lead to gum disease if
problems persist.
Three out of four
adults over
age 35 are
affected by
some sort of
gum (peri
odontal)
disease.
In gum
disease, the infection
becomes severe. Your gums begin to
recede, pulling back from the teeth. In
the worst cases, bacteria form pockets
between the teeth and gums, weakening
the bone. All this can lead to tooth loss
if untreated, especially in patients with
osteoporosis.
If regular oral care is too
difficult, your dentist can provide
alternatives to aid in flossing and
prescribe medication to keep the infec-
tion from getting worse.
What if it's too difficult to
brush?
If you have arthritis, you may find
it difficult to brush and floss for
good oral health care and
prevention of disease.
Ask your dentist for ways to
overcome this problem. Certain dental
products are designed to make dental
care less painful for arthritis sufferers.
You may want to try strapping the
toothbrush to a larger object, such as a
ball, to make the brush more comfort-
able to handle, or electric toothbrushes
can help by doing some of the work for
you.
What are the signs of oral
cancer?
Oral cancer most often occurs in
people over 40 years of age.
See a dentist immediately if
you notice any red or white patches
on your gums or tongue, and watch
for sores that fail to heal within two
weeks.
Unfortunately, oral cancer is
often difficult to detect in its early
stages, when it can be cured easily.
Your dentist can perform a head
and neck exam to screen for signs
of cancer. Since oral cancer is often
painless in its early stages, many
patients will not notice the signs
until it is too late. In addition,
many older people, especially those
who wear dentures, do not visit
their dentists enough and problems
go unseen.
Should I be concerned about
dry mouth? Dry mouth
(xerostomia) happens when
salivary
glands fail to work due to disease,
certain medications or cancer
treatment. This can make it hard to eat,
swallow, taste and speak. In certain
cases, such as radiation therapy, dry
mouth can lead to severe
complications, which is why it is
important you see a dentist immedi-
ately before beginning any form of
cancer treatment.
Drinking lots of water and
avoiding sweets, tobacco, alcohol
and caffeine are some ways to fight
dry mouth. Your dentist also can
prescribe medications to fight severe
dry mouth.
Maintaining your overall health
Studies have shown that
maintaining a healthy mouth may
keep your body healthier and help
you avoid diabetes, heart disease
and stroke. The best way to
achieve good oral health is to visit
your dentist for a cleaning at least
twice a year.
Sources: "Oral health plays key role in
older patients' overall wellbeing",
Dental
Products Report, February 2000.
National
Institute on Aging "Age Page,"
www.nih.gov National Institute on Dental
Research,
www.nidr.nih.gov/slavkin/silent.htm UCLA
Periodontics Information Center,
www.dent.ucla
