Safeguarding Oral Health For Older Adults

Active ageing and oral health. Here’s all you need to know. 

A genuine smile comes from the heart, but a healthy smile needs good dental care, goes a famous saying. Oral health is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to staying healthy and unknown to many, it is also an important component of active ageing. The proportion of older people is growing faster than any other age group. The impacts of oral diseases on the general health and quality of life of people is tremendous, especially with older individuals. Most oral health disorders are preventable and can be treated in their early stages.

What are the threats to an older adults’ oral health?

Over the years, the oral cavity of an individual is susceptible to many external environmental factors. If combined with poor hygiene, dry mouth, use of antibiotics, extensive usage of tobacco, consumption of aerated drinks and sugar, bacteria build-up can cause moderate to severe oral infection. Plaque generation, dental caries, tooth loss, a high rate of periodontal diseases, and dryness of the mouth can negatively impact an individual’s day to day life. Chronic oral ulcers and infections can damage the teeth as well as the support structures in the oral cavity. If not treated promptly, it can spread to surrounding tissues. 

Ailments such as diabetes can also impact oral health including increasing the likelihood of thrush, a yeast infection that grows in one’s mouth, throat slowly spreading to other parts of the body.

Poor oral functioning can be detrimental to the nutritional status and health of an individual. Mouth ulcers, dental caries, tooth loss, loose painful teeth, ill-fitted dentures cause difficulty in chewing food, impacting the appetite, and leading to poor eating habits. A Compromised diet further undermines the functioning of the oral cavity. Insufficient calorie intake results in increased calcium, iron and zinc deficiencies aggravating the situation further. 

The slowed function of the salivary gland is also associated with ageing. Saliva protects the oral cavity, upper airway, digestive tract, the absence of which causes mouth dryness and dental caries. Many medications induce dry mouth as a side effect. To add to it, a decline in the functioning of the oral mucosa also exposes an individual to a series of pathogens and chemicals. 

How Can Older Adults Maintain Better Oral Hygiene?

The onset of oral diseases and other non-communicable diseases can be reduced in elderly people, by providing preventive as well as timely restorative care. For the same, the initial step is to create an awareness and appreciation for regular oral care.

Promoting a well-balanced diet that is low in sugar and salt with optimum use of water is preferable. Adults need to consume adequate amounts of calcium, which can be prescribed by a physician. This will help prevent osteoporosis, which can affect the bone surrounding the teeth. Eliminating or reducing the usage of alcohol, tobacco in all forms, tea, coffee, sodas especially sweetened is advised. Adoption of good hygiene includes the use of a flexible rotating/oscillating toothbrush, high fluoride toothpaste, and flossing twice a day. 

Dentists may also sometimes prescribe therapeutic oral rinses that contain chlorhexidine, sodium benzoate, sanguinaria, fluoride, or other remineralizing agents which promote oral health and prevent chronic disease build-up. They may additionally suggest a chlorhexidine rinse upon closer examination, which can be used to control plaque, bacteria formation and treat gingivitis.

Furthermore, if medication is the primary cause of dry mouth, one is advised to consult with a doctor for available medicine substitution. If no substitute is available, one can drink plenty of water and chew sugar-free gum. Any kind of fitting or dentures needs special care. Following the instructions recommended by the dentist and getting regular checkups are recommended.

It becomes even more important, as one becomes older, to prioritize dental care, which is directly and indirectly linked to one’s overall health, especially in later years. The major block in oral health care of older individuals today is a lack of awareness regarding the need for oral health care. With our changing attitudes towards the importance of this crucial aspect of our overall well-being, the new goal is to evolve and incorporate a comprehensive dental regime. This will safeguard older adults from serious oral complications, enabling them to live healthy.