How To Avoid And Fix 6 Common Dental Problems When You’re Over 50

Over 50 – Here’s Dental Problems You May Have

Smile! There’s good news from the world of dentistry: Older Australians are keeping their teeth longer than ever before and the average number of teeth people retain into old age is increasing.  But it is not all smiles. As people keep their teeth longer, there are more problems that are likely to arise, which is why keeping up with regular dental visits is so important. Here are the most common problems, and what you can do about them:

6 Dental Problems In Over 50s

1. TOOTH DECAY

Yes, people over 50 can and do get cavities. You can get them on the surfaces of teeth that have never been a problem before and around old fillings, crown and bridgework or at the root of your tooth. As you age and you get long in the tooth, the root of your tooth becomes softer and more exposed.

The Fix:  You could try fluoride gels and rinses but if you want something more natural then you need to be consuming a mineral rich diet and getting plenty of vitamin D. Or ask your dentist about prescription gels or varnishes that you can have applied to your roots and teeth.

2. DRY MOUTH

Saliva protects us against tooth decay. But as you age, are on medications or have certain health conditions then you may not produce enough of it and your teeth may be at risk of decay and gum disease. The minerals calcium and phosphate present in saliva prevent demineralization, which helps to prevent cavities. How do you know if you have a dry mouth? You’ll have a sticky feeling in your mouth, trouble swallowing, dry throat, and dry, cracked lips. You may notice a metallic taste in your mouth or persistent bad breath. You may or may not feel thirsty. Dry mouth is often caused by medications, and as people age, they take more medications. It can also result from smoking or from health problems that damage the salivary glands.

The Fix: If you have dry mouth, you should try to stimulate saliva production. You can sip water all day or chew sugar-free xylitol gum to help. Most times this isn’t enough to get enough saliva flow going and your mouth remains at risk. Your dentist can prescribe a prescription saliva substitute or recommend over-the-counter formulations for you to try that help get the saliva and moisture flowing again.

3. GUM DISEASE

If your gums are swollen, red, or bleed easily, you’ve got gingivitis, an early form of gum disease that can progress and be dangerous. Untreated gum disease becomes periodontitis, which is when the gum pulls away from the tooth and creates pockets which can become infected. Gum disease unchecked and untreated, will cause the loss of bone in your jaw and eventually, the loss of the teeth themselves as your teeth get so loose they simply fall out.

Your risk for gum disease is higher the older you get especially if you have poor dental hygiene habits, have crowded teeth, have poor dentistry that needs attention, smoke, are on medications, have dry mouth, are post-menopausal or over 50.

The Fix: The best fix for this condition is regular dentist and hygienist visits. And by regular, you may need to visit your dentist more frequently than the recommended twice a year so that your teeth can be cleaned and your inflamed, infected gums treated for the condition.

4. ORAL CANCER

Oral cancer incidence definitely increases as you get older and is very often linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use. Recently, the number of cases has risen because doctors have discovered that the Human Papilloma Virus also can cause oral cancer.

The Fix: Only about half of people who develop oral cancer survive the disease. The best hope for survival is to discover it at its earliest stages—in which case there is an 80 percent chance of surviving for five years. Your dental exam should include a check for oral cancer. Your dentist will hold your tongue and check the soft tissue in your mouth as well as your throat and jaw. If he or she does not, find another dentist.

5. TOOTH CROWDING

Are you noticing that food is getting stuck in new places in your mouth? Or that the overlapping tooth that was cute in your teens now seems to be overlapping even more? You’re not imagining it. As you age, your teeth shift and that can be problematic, not because you’ll look different, but because it can make your teeth more difficult to clean, leading to more decay and accelerated gum disease. It’s also of concern because misaligned teeth can lead to tooth wear and damage to the supporting tissue and bone. Crowded and moving teeth also cause misaligned bites that make it harder to chew and can also lead to nighttime clenching and grinding as you sleep. Add to that the fact that older adults tend to have gum disease, and you could end up losing your teeth even faster.

The Fix: If your teeth have really shifted, see your dentist who may fit you with a retainer, spacer, or even braces. This may not be necessary, but you should discuss with your dentist whether your teeth are shifting at your regular checkup. If they are, it may mean that you need to go to the dentist more regularly for more frequent cleanings as well as consider straightening your teeth.

6. GRINDING AND CLENCHING

This is not a problem that begins late in life, but it’s one whose effects might be most pronounced as you age. If you tend to grind your teeth or to clench them in your sleep, you may grind through the enamel to the dentin, which can cause pain and decay. Also, you can crack and split teeth that are heavily filled or weak and if you have crowns or bridges in your mouth, they may be damaged. Clenching and grinding tend to worsen with age as your teeth get more crowded and the bite misaligns. Older adults also tend to snore more or develop sleep apnoea which is also linked with teeth grinding.

The Fix: Your dentist can make you a night guard or sleep apnoea or anti-snoring orthotics to protect your teeth while you sleep and stop you from cracking your teeth and your dental work.

At Evolve Dental Healing Kenmore Dentist we are here to help you have a healthy mouth for life as we understand that a healthy mouth means a healthier longer life.

Call us today to find out how we can support you to keep your teeth for life.