Oral and dental health in the elderly

For oral health, there is a significant impact on the quality of life, from maintaining a healthy daily functioning that includes eating, talking, socializing and even preventing pain and lack of comfort. The treatment and prevention of oral diseases in the elderly are also important to improve the general feeling and health in general. Research from recent years shows a link between oral health and chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Adopting proper habits, maintaining a healthy diet and regular medical follow-up can help preserve teeth for a lifetime, including natural teeth, implants or artificial dentures. Dental problems in the elderly Improper oral hygiene - As a result of poor public health and limited mobility or in mind, it may be difficult to carry out the actions required to maintain oral hygiene. Periodontal disease - Periodontal disease is a contamination of the tissues supporting the teeth. Gum disease can lead to bleeding from the gums, bad odour from the mouth, the appearance of dental roots, osteoporosis and even tooth loss. Also, gum disease has an impact on chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Tooth decay - the risk of caries increases in the older generation due to the emergence of dental roots due to erosion of the gums, frequent old and incorrect restorations and dry mouth due to taking medication or after chemotherapy and radiation. Fungi - Fungi of the oral cavity can appear in people who wear partial or complete prostheses. Moreover, the continued use of antibiotics or steroids, diabetes, inhibition of the immune system, dry mouth and disorganized nutrition increase the risk of fungi in the oral cavity in the elderly. Soft tissue injuries - People who wear partial or complete prosthetic teeth may suffer injuries under artificial teeth. Most likely to talk about a wound due to friction of artificial teeth, not fixed in the mouth. Injury can occur in two basic forms: an ulcer (wound) or additional tissue growth. Oral cavity cancer - Older people (over the age of 60) have a higher risk of developing cancer in the oral cavity. The risk increases if a person smokes and/or consumes alcohol or is permanently exposed to sunlight. Possibilities for rehabilitation in case of loss of teeth Retractable dentures - dentures that mimic the natural denture and are an alternative, aesthetic and functional, for missing teeth. In general, prosthetic teeth are divided into two basic types: Complete prosthetic teeth - provides a solution to the complete loss of teeth in one or both jaws. Partial prostheses - intended to complete several missing teeth in the mouth. Prosthetic teeth over implanted teeth - when there are no teeth implanted in the jawbone, the absorption of the supporting bone begins. As a result, it is possible to create a situation where there are insufficient support and fixation of prosthetic teeth and it is difficult to fix them in the mouth without movement. The solution to this problem is the manufacture of artificial teeth supported over implanted teeth are implanted in the jawbone. Implants and permanent rehabilitation (bridges or individual crowns). Recommendations for maintaining oral health in the elderly Maintaining oral hygiene - rubbing teeth and using cleaning tools between the teeth is very important as well as in the elderly. Rub teeth twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste. In limited mobility - an electric brush can be used. Maintenance of artificial teeth - germs stick to artificial teeth as well as teeth. Synthetic teeth should be cleaned daily. It is preferable to remove artificial teeth at night and in each case should be removed from the mouth for at least 4 hours each day. To keep the artificial teeth clean, you should rub the artificial teeth with a special brush. Dishwashing soap can be used and of course, wash the artificial teeth well afterwards. While artificial teeth are not in the mouth, they should be soaked in a sterilization solution for artificial teeth. Stopping harmful habits - Smoking exacerbates gum problems and caries. It adversely affects healing after dental procedures and the acceptance of implants. Also, smoking and alcohol consumption are factors that increase the risk of cancer in the oral cavity. Prevention of oral cancer - As is known, oral cancer is associated with life habits and therefore should refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. Also, it was found that nutrition rich in fresh vegetables and fruits is a protective factor. In each case of a mouth injury that does not go away within two weeks - you should go to a dental examination. Cancer in the oral cavity does not cause pain in the early stages, so it is important to maintain a regular examination by the dentist at least once a year, even if there are no changes in the oral cavity. Treatment of dry mouth - It is recommended to consult the dentist and the attending physician to find out the cause of the problem. In certain cases, when dehydration is due to the use of certain drugs, the doctor replaces the drug with another drug and thus solve the problem. To alleviate dehydration, you should continue to drink enough water during the day. Alternatives to saliva, gum, or clothing can be used without sugar. Preventing and treating fungus - Keeping your oral hygiene and artificial teeth daily help a lot to prevent fungus. In the case of fungal infections in the mouth - you should go to the examination of the dentist. Treatment of fungi can be local or systemic, depending on the condition. Periodic visit to the dentist - It is recommended that the examination routinely at least once a year by the dentist. It is very important to inform the dentist of any change in the correct condition