Why Seniors Have More Oral Problems And The Common Problems They Have

Everyone has risks when it comes to their teeth and oral health, but people who are considered seniors often have the highest risks of oral problems. There are several reasons for this and there are several common types of problems they have, but most of these problems can be fixed through dental procedures.

Reasons seniors have more oral problems

There are several reasons that seniors experience more oral problems than people in other age categories, and here are the top reasons for this.

Failure to care for their teeth when they were younger – Proper care for teeth is vital throughout a person's entire life, and one of the reasons seniors have problems with their teeth is due to a lack of good oral care habits throughout life. If you do not care well for your teeth when you are young, you will have more problems when you are older.

Seniors often experience dry mouth – Many seniors have a higher risk for oral problems due to the dry mouth syndrome they experience. Dry mouth is most commonly caused by medications, and people in this age group generally take more medications than people in other age groups.

Teeth wear out with age – It is also important to realize that teeth naturally wear out with age. While it is possible to keep your permanent teeth for your entire lifetime, teeth do tend to wear out simply from use.

These are the top reasons seniors experience more problems with their teeth than people who are younger.

The common problems seniors have with their oral health

There are many problems that people can have with their teeth, and seniors tend to suffer from an increased risk of cavities, gum disease, enamel erosion, loss of teeth, tooth sensitivity, and many other oral issues. Seniors can protect their teeth by visiting a dentist regularly and by following good habits each day. This may include brushing, flossing, and using a mouth rinse. If a person has dry mouth, it may include finding a treatment option that solves this problem. Seniors can have healthy teeth and mouths, but it may take a little more work for them to achieve this.

If you have not yet reached this age and want to prevent having oral problems when you get older, you should aim to take care of your teeth in the best ways possible when you are younger. If you have questions or need assistance with your oral health, contact a dentist today.

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