As we age, maintaining good oral health becomes increasingly important—not only for preserving our teeth and gums but also for our overall health. At Beaches Dental Mona Vale, we understand the unique dental care needs of our senior patients and the critical link between oral health and systemic diseases. In this article, we’ll share some key dental care tips for seniors, plus insights into how oral health can influence other aspects of your well-being. Let’s dive in.
Essential Dental Care Tips for Seniors
1. Regular Dental Check-ups
Make sure to see your dentist bi-annually for professional cleanings and general check-ups, even if you think your teeth look and feel fine. Your dentist can spot issues early, give you personalised advice and treatment options. They check for things like cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer to prevent early issues turning into big problems. Prevention is key!
2. Proper Brushing and Flossing
Don’t forget the basics: brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Floss once a day to remove the plaque and food buildup between your teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach. Regular floss can be tricky to use, especially with conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson’s, etc. Trying interdental brushes or a water flosser may be a helpful option instead.
3. Stay Hydrated
A dry mouth can be common as you get older. Many medications and health conditions can cause dry mouth as a side effect. Saliva is very important for preventing cavities and keeping your mouth healthy! Drink lots of water during the day. Sugar-free gum and saliva substitutes can also help stimulate saliva production and moisten your mouth.
4. Healthy Diet
You really are what you eat, and that goes for your teeth too. Load up on fruits, veggies, and dairy products that have nutrients like calcium and vitamin C. Crunchy fruits and veggies can also help clean your teeth and promote saliva production as you chew. Go easy on sugary treats or highly acidic foods to prevent enamel erosion and cavities from developing.
5. Use Dental Aids
If you have arthritis or other issues that make brushing and flossing tougher, don’t worry. Tools like electric toothbrushes and floss holders can make the job easier. With these aids, you can still do a thorough cleaning even if you have limitations in movement.
6. Take Care of Dentures
For seniors with dentures, keep them clean! Brush your dentures daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day and soak them in a special solution at night. Don’t sleep with them in — your gums need a chance to breathe. Having your dentures out at night helps to prevent fungal infections like Candida occurring under your denture. Make sure to check that they still fit right periodically and discuss any issues with your dentist. Poorly fitting dentures can rub and cause sore spots.
7. Quit Smoking
Smoking is bad news for your mouth. It makes gum disease, tooth loss, bad breath, and oral cancer more likely—not to mention the stains it leaves on teeth. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your oral health and overall health.
Impact of Medications on Oral Health
Many seniors take medications for various health issues, and some of these medications can have side effects that impact dental health, like dry mouth (which increases the risks of cavities and gum disease). Other drugs may cause gum overgrowth, making it harder to keep things clean.
Be sure to tell your dentist about any medications you take so you can work together on solutions.
Oral Health and Brain Health
There’s growing research showing a link between poor oral health and cognitive decline, like in Alzheimer’s and dementia. We don’t fully understand how this works yet, but chronic inflammation and bacterial infections in the mouth may play a role.
Staying on top of your oral hygiene and dealing with any dental problems quickly may help lower your risk of cognitive issues down the line. If you’re a caregiver for a senior with cognitive impairment, work with their dentist on an oral care plan.
Dental Tips for Seniors with Disabilities
If you have physical or cognitive disabilities, staying on top of oral care can be challenging. Limited mobility makes brushing and flossing tricky at times. Memory issues like dementia can make it hard to remember an oral care routine.
Caregivers and dentists need to team up in these cases! Specialised tools, visual guides, or alternative hygiene methods can all help. Regular dentist visits for cleanings and check-ups are a must to keep things healthy and spot early signs of disease.
Get Screened for Oral Cancer
As we age, the risk for oral cancer increases —especially if you use tobacco or have had long-term exposure to other risk factors like alcohol. So make sure your dentist is screening you for oral cancer at your regular check-ups.
The screening is easy—your dentist will examine your whole mouth, tongue, and floor of your mouth (under your tongue) for any unusual spots, lumps, non-healing ulcers or areas of colour changes. If anything seems off, they may want to do some follow-up testing or refer you to a specialist for further assessment and biopsy. Catching oral cancer early makes all the difference in successful treatment, so don’t skip those screenings!
Managing Dental Anxiety
For some folks, a trip to the dentist is a big source of stress and anxiety, especially if you’ve had a bad experience in the past. But steering clear of the dentist because of anxiety can lead to serious oral health problems and impact your overall well-being.
If nerves are an issue for you, let your dentist know! Sedation dentistry, relaxation techniques, and good old-fashioned communication can all help ease anxiety. At Beaches Dental Mona Vale, we pride ourselves on creating a safe and inviting space for our senior patients. Our whole team is trained to help those with dental anxiety feel at ease.
Dental Health Impacts Overall Health
Keeping your mouth healthy isn’t just about having a camera-ready smile (though that’s great too). It plays a big role in your general health! Research from leading institutions shows that poor oral health is linked to a number of diseases in the body:
1. Heart Diseases
Gum disease and heart disease have been linked (Heart Foundation Australia). Inflammation and bacteria from your mouth can get into your bloodstream, leading to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The chronic inflammation from gum disease may also contribute to hardened arteries, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Furthermore, patients with periodontal disease are at 2-3 times the risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other serious cardiac event.
2. Diabetes
Diabetes and gum disease have a two-way relationship. High blood sugar levels increases your gum disease risk, and severe gum disease can make blood sugar levels harder to control. The inflammation from gum disease can interfere with your body’s ability to manage insulin and glucose and therefore your overall diabetes management can suffer.
3. Lung Infections
If you don’t have good oral hygiene, you can breathe bacteria from your mouth into your lungs. This can cause lung infections like pneumonia—a big concern for seniors or anyone with a weakened immune system or lung disease.
4. Stomach Issues
There is increasing evidence that oral health and stomach problems might be related. Oral health issues can make conditions like acid reflux worse. That reflux can then cause tooth erosion and decay—a vicious cycle! The bacteria from gum disease may also contribute to stomach ulcers and other gut problems.
5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
New research suggests gum disease may be linked to Inflammatory Bowel Diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, with patients suffering from these conditions possibly being at increased risk of gingivitis and periodontitis. The inflammation in your mouth may also be a sign of wider GI inflammation.
6. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Studies show that people with rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic autoimmune condition affecting joints) are more likely to have gum disease too. Gum disease inflammation may trigger or worsen rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and vice versa.
Keeping your mouth healthy as a senior is essential, not just for a confident smile, but for your overall wellbeing too. At Beaches Dental Mona Vale, we understand the unique dental needs of our senior patients and the critical connection between oral health and systemic diseases.
Whether you need help managing dry mouth, figuring out the right tools to make brushing and flossing easier, or want to make sure you’re getting screened for oral cancer, our compassionate team is here to help. We’re committed to providing personalised, gentle care to keep your mouth healthy and help you enjoy the best quality of life possible in your golden years.
If it’s been a while since your last dental check-up or you have any concerns about your oral health, don’t hesitate to give us a call or request an appointment at our Mona Vale dental practice today. Together, we can create a dental care plan tailored to your unique needs and get you on the path to optimal oral health. Your healthiest smile is just a phone call away!
