Why Good Oral Hygiene is Important for Seniors

Sadly, when people should be paying more attention to their oral health, they simply let it go. Even sadder is family members sometimes do not realize the impact not continuing an oral hygiene regimen can have on older members of the family. A quick look at the list below and everyone should be rushing to help Mom, Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma make sure the brush and floss their teeth.

Darkened Teeth – this usually occurs due to long-term neglect of the teeth. People that smoke or drink wine are especially susceptible to stained teeth. The downside of this is that it not only stains and/or darkens the color of the teeth, but also thins out the outer enamel layer of the tooth.

Denture-Induced Stomatitis – there are several causes of this condition which, causes the inflammation of the mouth and lips. It can be caused by bad oral hygiene, a buildup of fungus under the dentures, and/or improperly fitting dentures. If a senior is complaining of mouth pain, this could definitely be one of the causes.

Dry Mouth – as we have discussed before, dry mouth is often a side effect of medications taken by seniors. The problem is this also promotes the growth of bacteria in the mouth. It is vitally important to monitor how their medication impacts them and if they do have dry mouth, talk to their physician about changing up their meds or working with the senior to ensure they are drinking enough water and even chewing gum to keep saliva in their mouth.

Heart Disease – seniors are faced with enough challenges for their cardiac health, so let’s not try to make bad oral hygiene part of that equation. One study found those with periodontal disease are twice as likely to develop some type of cardiac disease.

Root Decay – because our gums tend to recede as we get older, the roots of the teeth become more exposed. Since there is no enamel to protect the exposed root, decay is more likely. However, regular checkups and a good oral health regimen can easily prevent this from becoming a reality.

Uneven Jawbone – when people lose teeth, an uneven jawbone can be the outcome due to teeth shifting to move into the open spaces. Having implants or crown work done can be expensive, but it may also be necessary to help prevent further complications in the future.

If the high cost of dental care is keeping you away from the dentist, you need to consider our NH discount dental plans for seniors. Our plan offers significant discounts of regular dental care as well as addition procedures, such as root canal, crowns, and bridge work. For more information about our plans, please click here.