As we get older, our mouths start to change. Our teeth are not as strong and our gums are not as healthy. As with many things happening with our bodies, this can lead to issues with our dental care. It is for this reason that we have a lifetime of being asked to take care of our teeth. It is because detail issues become more prominent as we get older.
Oral problems can be an indicator of other health problems. Gum disease is linked to heart disease and diabetes. And other dental issues can lead to cavities, which can lead to more serious dental problems like tooth loss or bone loss in the jawbone, requiring the support of services similar to the Sage Dental Implant and Smile Centre to help. The more you learn about what oral problems can affect you, the more likely you’ll be able to be ready for it and can deal with it should it happen to you.
Here are five oral problems that could appear as you age:
Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Tooth decay is a condition that leads to cavities in your teeth, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. While gum disease is an infection that affects the gums, which can result in receding gums and even tooth loss if left untreated.
Gum disease and tooth decay are two of the most common oral problems in adults caused by bacteria in your mouth. These diseases can lead to other health problems like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. So if you don’t take care of your oral health, it can impact your general well-being and quality of life. If you don’t take care of your teeth, you might experience problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and dental disease.
Dental Disease
Dental disease affects your mouth and teeth. It can also affect other parts of your body, such as your heart, lungs, and kidneys. There are many different types of dental diseases that can affect you as you age. For example, periodontitis is a serious oral problem that causes the gums to become infected. This infection can lead to tooth loss if not treated in time.
Plaque and tartar cause the most common form of periodontitis, gingivitis buildup around the gum line. If left untreated, it can lead to bone loss and tooth loss.
The first step in preventing or treating gingivitis is to remove plaque and tartar from around your gum line with a toothbrush or dental floss each day. You can also visit your dentist for a professional cleaning every six months to clean out any buildup that you might not be able to reach on your own.
Mouth Sores and Canker Sores
There are many reasons why mouth sores and canker sores appear as you get older. The most common one is the immune system weakening. The immune system becomes weaker with age and this leads to the increased risk of mouth sores and canker sores. For example, a person who has HIV may have a decreased ability to fight off infection in their mouth. This will lead to an increased risk of developing oral problems like mouth sores and canker sores.
Another reason why mouth sores and canker sores appear as you get older is that your teeth become more sensitive with age. This means that it takes less force for your teeth to be damaged, which causes them to become more susceptible to decay or injury, which could lead to oral problems like mouth sores and canker sores.
Dry Mouth Syndrome
Dry mouth syndrome is a condition that occurs when there is a lack of saliva in the mouth. This condition can cause oral problems such as bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Dry mouth syndrome is common in people who are older because it can be caused by a number of factors, such as medications and certain diseases.
Dry mouth syndrome can be treated by drinking water and chewing sugarless gum to stimulate saliva production.
Oral Cancer
It is true that oral cancer appears as a result of the aging process. The mouth is the most common site of cancer in the head and neck region. The incidence rates for oral cancer are higher in people aged 50 years or older, with rates being highest in those aged 70 years or older.
Some symptoms of oral cancer are a sore throat that doesn’t go away, a mouth that feels dry even when you drink water, red or white patches inside your mouth, pain when swallowing food, changes in your voice, or trouble breathing through your nose.
Just like everything else, you should expect changes in your oral health as you age. But it doesn’t have to lead to big trouble if you keep an eye on your teeth and gums and take care of problems as soon as you see them.