Sensitization of the teeth due to the recession of the gums, gum disease, tooth and especially tooth root decay, diabetes and dry mouth due to the use of certain drugs are just a few of the important problems of oral and dental health in people in advanced ages.

Gum Disease

Gum diseases occur when the gums become infected due to plaque and tartar. Gingivitis is manifested by red or bleeding gums. Gum disease is a major problem for older adults. The plaques that accumulate on the teeth and the tartar that forms afterwards are formed due to the lack of correct oral and dental care in the early stages of life. You can use your teeth for a longer period of time with a simple tartar cleaning by your dentist or surgical interventions in advanced gum problems. Of course, in the meantime, good oral care and routine dentist checks are very important.

Root Caries

 Root surfaces exposed due to the recession of the gums of adults in advanced ages may rot especially at the gingival level. These bruises, which are at the root level, sometimes cause serious pain, but sometimes progress insidiously. If the gum is receding, the root surfaces are softer than the enamel and may decay more quickly. Root caries can quickly reach the nerves of your teeth and cause inflammation or breakage of the tooth at the level of the caries.

 Your dentist can solve your problem by treating (filling) these caries. In some cases, these teeth may need root canal treatment and veneer. Afterwards, good dental calculus cleaning, curettage and the patient´s own oral care are required.

Tooth decay

In cases where oral care is insufficient, caries may occur in older ages as in any age. Bruises can easily form under broken, cracked or leaky fillings. Secondary caries, called secondary caries, may have formed under the previously made fillings, and therefore the fillings may need to be replaced. Even if you do not feel pain, early diagnosis of these caries with regular dentist checks is very important.

Sensitive Teeth

Our teeth, which have played an important role in our nutrition over the years; Sometimes it can be cracked and eroded by chewing hard things, sometimes consuming hot and cold foods one after the other, sometimes by the effect of acidic foods, and sometimes by hard and faulty brushing. Fluoridated toothpastes, fluoride applications by physicians can be solved.

Dry Mouth

There may not be enough saliva in the mouth after some diseases such as diabetes and medications used for some diseases (cancer and blood pressure). As age progresses, it is an oral health problem that is encountered more frequently due to the effect of medications taken for different ailments. Saliva helps neutralize bacteria and acids that can damage teeth. Dry mouth can cause tooth loss by causing decay in teeth and tooth roots.

Chewing sugar-free gum or drinking plenty of fluids can be ways to deal with dry mouth. It can also be beneficial in fibrous and sugar-free foods. You can get advice from your doctor about giving medicines that will not cause dry mouth instead of the medicines used, according to the profit and loss relationship.

Vertical dimension losses

Especially gingival problems can cause multiple tooth loss in advanced ages, so vertical dimension loss may occur in total tooth loss. In this case, the prostheses made are expected to provide not only aesthetics but also function. However, the most important factor is that the chewing plane of the prosthesis should be adjusted to the condition of the joints. If the chewing plane of the prosthesis is not as necessary, joint pain may occur and these pains may be permanent. For this reason, the occlusion of the prosthesis to be made should be adjusted to meet the needs. When the teeth of the prostheses melt, the prosthesis should be renewed.

In addition, vertical dimension loss may occur as a result of the melting of the individual´s own teeth. In this case, prosthetic treatments should be applied to compensate for the vertical dimension loss.

Oral cancers

The risk of oral cancer in elderly individuals is quite high. Oral cancer lesions are painless in the initial period and therefore can be neglected. As the cancer progresses and destroys healthy oral tissues, the complaint of pain begins. It can be difficult for a person to notice oral cancer. Oral cancers include cancers that occur inside the mouth, mostly the lower lip, behind the larynx, tonsils, or salivary glands.

The exact cause of oral cancer is not known exactly. However, it is known that factors such as tobacco products, alcohol, and exposure to excessive sunlight, especially in the extra-oral areas (such as the lips), increase the risk of cancer.

 Dentist controls should not be neglected in order to diagnose the increasing oral and dental health problems in advanced ages and to prevent problems. It is possible to protect your teeth and live with your teeth for the rest of your life by taking the necessary treatments, taking into account the recommendations of the dentist.