The Risks of Neglecting Oral Health as You Age

It’s easy to fall into the habit of forgetting about taking care of your teeth. Miss a brushing here and there, don’t maintain the best diet, quit flossing – these may not seem like massive oral health changes, but all of these things add up to pain down the road. Anyone who has a cavity probably knows this. What started as a small discoloration turned into damage, then a hole, and eventually hurt and needed to be treated.

Well, there are quite a few traps we can fall into if we get lazy with our oral health. Let’s look at some of the easy mistakes to make first. After that, we will go over the risks you run by missing out on this oral health upkeep. Finally, we will talk about how your mouth changes as you get older, and how it compounds the risks of not taking care of your teeth and gums.

What are some things people fall out of the habit of?

• This is a big one. Flossing can be painful, time-consuming, and annoying. However, not cleaning out the plaque that builds between teeth, and the debris that can be found there is a gigantic mistake.
• Brushing at least twice a day. Maybe after a late night it’s easy to fall asleep without brushing, or if you have work early, it might be easy to not brush to save some time. Brushing teeth is even more important than flossing in that it cleans off plaque and bacteria, and strengthens tooth enamel.
• Having a bad diet will certainly not help, weight gain isn’t the only danger of a bad diet. Your teeth and mouth will surely feel the consequences of too much sugar, acidity, or lack of water. Don’t let soda replace your water supply, and be sure to munch some fresh veggies each day.
• Not visiting the dentist for your biannual check up. You should visit a dentist at least every 6 months – let a professional poke around in your mouth so big problems don’t sneak up on you as a surprise. The cleaning you get at each check up can remove stains and plaque build up that you might not get yourself.

What happens to the mouth as you age?

• Tooth enamel thins with age. This results in a grayish color and less sheen. On a less superficial, and more serious side, it makes the teeth more susceptible to damage. When the tooth is more damaged/decayed, it can hurt, it might also fall out or have to be removed. Pain when chewing and lack of teeth are two of the main reasons the elderly tend to have more limited diets.
• Gum recession thanks to dry mouth is caused by less saliva production. As your gums get less moisture, they will thin and pull back. This makes it easier to lose teeth and increases chances of getting cavities.
• Periodontal disease. This is a gum disease caused by bacteria build-up. Lack of proper dental care/oral hygiene causes this disease. It can also be caused by poor nutrition or other diseases like AIDS and diabetes. Periodontal disease is very serious and can cause heart disease.
• Various problems that result in a loss of taste can happen. They include Sinus, mouth, and nose infections, mouth cancer and liver and kidney disease.
  • Various medications that are often given to the elderly can cause loss of taste as well, such as those that reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and more can be responsible.
• Bone weakening/loss can affect oral health. As some people lose calcium as they age, their jaws and teeth can become much weaker, which makes them more susceptible to injury and tooth loss.
• Teeth get stained. Acidic foods like chili peppers and red wine can stain the teeth when consumed too much.

What can you do about it?

Keep yourself healthy! Stay in the habit of brushing twice a day, drinking lots of water (8 cups a day), and flossing once a day. Avoid too much tooth staining food, like coffee, and eat a balanced diet with plenty of calcium. These simple – but not easy – tips will help you keep healthy teeth well into your golden years.

Of course, don’t forget to keep visiting a dentist twice a year. Josey Lane Dentistry, in Carrollton Texas, is happy to assist anyone who needs a check-up, surgery, or needs any oral health help at all. Let us know today, and we can schedule your cleaning, check up, or talk about bridges or tooth replacement surgery.