Oral Health Care for Seniors

Caring for your teeth and gums is essential throughout your life. As you age, taking care of your teeth and having a good oral hygiene routine becomes necessary to maintain your overall health. Neglecting oral care can lead to dental issues such as dry mouth, tooth sensitivity, pain, bleeding gums, gum diseases, and others. Seniors must follow a strict regimen for oral health care to avoid major health problems. 

From our past 2 free online Khyaal sessions on oral care, we have learnt that the following oral health problems are common among seniors.

Dry mouth

Dry mouth is one of the common problems in seniors' oral health. It occurs due to various factors and can be a side effect of specific medications for diabetes, heart problems, or hypertension. Lack of saliva in the mouth can cause bad breath and poor digestion for seniors. Dry mouth conditions can lead to gum disease and tooth decay if it is not treated well in time.

Tooth Decay

Seniors can develop tooth decay near the root due to cavities occurring more often at the gum line than at the border of fillings. Seniors are more at risk of tooth decay if they have natural teeth. Seniors who are on a diet high in sugar or have diabetes are more likely to get this pain.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is another main oral health concern among seniors. It is caused by collected plaque and aggravated by the food that gets stuck in the teeth. Gum disease can also be caused due to consumption of tobacco and poor fitting of dentures. This problem leads to bleeding, toothache, inflammation, difficulty in chewing, and tooth loss. 

Below are some of the symptoms of dental problems in seniors:

• Having bleeding gums while brushing or post brushing or flossing

• Toothache, gum pain, and loose tooth causing pain when munching

• Unable to taste hot foods or cold drinks due to sudden sensitivity

• Poor breath related with inflated cheek and pain

• Dry mouth and regular bad breath

• Damaged or broken teeth and ulcers inside the mouth

You can take the best care of your oral health by not waiting for these symptoms to be visible. It is advised for seniors to visit a dentist at least twice a year. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is highly recommended you should consult a dentist at the earliest. 

You can easily take good care of your oral hygiene and health through these simple dental care tips:

• Brush your teeth twice a day.

• Floss at least once a day.

• Rinse with mouthwash.

• Replace your toothbrush every four or six months.

• Limit your intake of high-sugar drinks and foods.

• Increase intake of calcium.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Care for your dentures, mouthguard, or oral appliances.

• Avoid tobacco products.

• Visit the dentist.

Overall, brushing and flossing your teeth every day is sufficient, but there is some amount of confusion among people. Apart from this, there are additional measures to be taken for dental care if you have dentures.

Following were a few of the FAQs asked in the oral care sessions organised by Khyaal:

Q1. What should we do to maintain dental and gum health as we age?

Q2. What to do for bleeding gums and bad odour?

Q3. Which toothpaste and brush to use?

Q4. How do I brush the inner part of the teeth?

Q5. Which part of the brush should I use?

If you are facing oral health problems and are looking out for solutions, then you must watch the sessions on Oral Care by Khyaal specially designed for seniors citizens. 

Here's a short glimpse of simple brushing techniques from the Oral Care session by Khyaal.

To watch the full video of the first session, click on the link, and to watch the second session click here. 

You can now be a part of Khyaal's insightful and interactive live sessions by clicking on the link.

Register yourself today!