Older adults, over age 65, are the least likely age group to visit the dentist. Just over 62 percent of seniors report that they've visited a dentist in the past year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Comparatively, more than 84 percent of children (ages 2 through 17) and 64 percent of adults (ages 18 to 64) have seen a dentist in the past year.
Even though seniors are the least likely age group to see a dentist, they are more likely to have age-related issues that require professional diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're a senior who hasn't visited the dentist in more than a while or your loved one is in the 65 plus age group, look at what you need to know about aging and dental health.
Dental Caries
As adults age, they are more likely to suffer from dry mouth. Nearly 30 percent of dental patients over age 65 and 40 percent of those over 80 have xerostomia (dry mouth), according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Some medications and conditions, such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease, can contribute to dry mouth in the older population.
What does dry mouth have to do with dental caries? While a lack of saliva on its own isn't always the culprit behind cavities, it can increase the likelihood of developing them. Without saliva to wash away food or bacteria, older adults can experience a plaque build-up that leads to cavity formation.
Seniors are especially susceptible to developing root dental caries. Almost half of Americans over age 75 have cavities on their roots. Not only does a lack of saliva promote root cavities, but extensive gum recession (which can increase as people age) can also contribute to the problem.
Fortunately, older adults can prevent and get treatment for dental caries. Diet changes, such as reducing alcohol and caffeine and increasing water intake, can reduce dry mouth and help to prevent cavities. Likewise, a healthy oral care
routine that includes brushing, flossing, mouthwash, and regular dental visits can make a major difference.
Decreased Mobility
Even though proper oral care can help to prevent dental caries and other forms of dental disease, it isn't always easy for older adults to brush and floss regularly.
Decreased mobility can negatively affect a person's ability to care for themselves, including their teeth. Lack of hand strength, decreased range of motion (due to arthritis or other medical conditions), and the inability to stand for long periods can make brushing and flossing difficult.
Older adults can rise to the challenge and overcome decreased mobility issues with adaptive measures. The dentist can offer tips for brushing with impaired mobility (depending on the reason behind the movement difficulty) or recommend a modified product that makes brushing easier.
Nerve Sensitivity
Along with dental caries, older adults may be more likely to have dental infections than younger patients may. Beyond that, they're often more likely to have a higher degree of severity when it comes to oral diseases and infections.
Why do older adults tend to suffer from infections that are more serious than younger patients? As people age, they lose tooth sensitivity. Nerve recession can make it difficult to feel the pain of infection. This may mean that an older adult goes without treatment for a longer time than a younger person might. The lack of prompt dental treatment may result in the need for a root canal.
Regular dental visits can help to keep an older adult's mouth safe, catching dental infections before they grow out of control.
Are you an older adult, or do you know an older adult, who needs dental care? Contact Family Dental Care of Wilmington for more information.
