As you get older, your oral health needs change and can be affected by tooth loss in Bowmanville or other factors such as periodontal disease. In addition, many people find they need prescription medications as they age, which can cause side effects that impact oral health.
It is important to make sure you maintain good oral health and strong, healthy teeth and gums throughout life. When you visit West Bowmanville Family Dental, you’ll find that we can provide a complete dental checkup and oral health assessment. In addition, we can devise a comprehensive preventive dental care plan designed to help you enjoy good dental health no matter your age. Some of the challenges facing people when they age include:
Tooth Loss
Despite better dental care, tooth loss in Courtice is still common and particularly amongst older people. The main reasons for tooth loss are periodontal disease, a serious gum infection, and dental caries or tooth decay. Other risk factors include smoking, not least because this habit increases the risk of developing periodontal disease and can mask the early signs of gum disease.
During your regular dental checkup, we can assess your gum health and can soon determine if you have the early signs of gum disease. We can easily treat gum disease at this stage, usually by professionally cleaning your teeth and working with you to improve your oral care routine.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay in Newcastle, particularly tooth-root decay, is more common amongst older people. It can be due to lack of oral hygiene, a diet high in sugars, or smoking. As you age, your gums are more likely to recede and pull away from your teeth, especially with gum disease that exposes tooth roots. Your tooth roots are more likely to become decayed because they aren’t covered by tooth enamel.
Our dentist can check your teeth carefully for any signs of lesions in tooth enamel or soft spots that may require treatment when you see us regularly. Sometimes it’s possible to re-harden tooth enamel with topical applications of fluoride. Other times, we may need to place a small filling to preserve and protect the tooth.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth or xerostomia is a frequent complaint amongst older people, and it can result from ageing or using prescription medications. When your mouth is too dry, it increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay and oral infections. This is because you need plenty of saliva to wash away excess food particles and bacteria and help keep your mouth clean and fresh. Medications that can cause xerostomia include antidepressants, beta-blockers, and antihistamines. Dry mouth is a common complaint amongst people who need treatment for urinary problems or high blood pressure.
If you have dry mouth, there are many things we can do to help you. For example, you may benefit from more frequent dental cleanings, or we might suggest fluoridated products or an antimicrobial mouthwash to help protect your teeth and gums. You can purchase over-the-counter saliva substitutes, or we can prescribe something. It can be helpful to chew sugar-free gum or sugar-free candies to stimulate saliva flow and make sure you are always well hydrated.
Oral Cancer
The risk of getting oral cancer in Clarington increases with age, and our dentists can carry out oral cancer screenings during regular checkups. They can detect any signs of changes to your oral tissues that include colour changes, or changes to the texture, or any lumps, bumps or sore spots. If you have a sore spot in your mouth that is failing to heal properly, it’s always worth contacting us for further advice.