There are a number of precautionary steps that elderly people should take to reduce their risk of developing oral health problems. Continue reading to learn what these steps are.
Avoid tobacco and excess alcohol consumption
Smoking or chewing tobacco products and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol on a regular basis can increase anyone's chances of developing serious oral health conditions, regardless of their age. These bad habits can, for example, put a person at risk of getting oral cancer.
However, it is particularly dangerous for elderly people to consume these types of products. As a person ages, their immune system becomes weaker. This is simply a natural part of the aging process.
The body of an elderly person with a weak immune system will struggle to fight off diseases (such as the aforementioned oral cancer) that their younger counterparts easily could; as such, older individuals far more likely to develop health problems as a result of smoking cigarettes or routinely consuming large quantities of alcohol.
Given this, it is critical for those who are approaching their twilight years to make a conscious effort to only drink moderate amounts of alcohol and, if possible, to quit smoking or chewing tobacco.
Get their dentures adjusted at a denture clinic
It is very common for older people to wear dentures. This is usually because they have lost their teeth after suffering from chronic periodontal disease.
It is extremely important for elderly individuals who wear this type of dental device to have their dentures periodically adjusted at a denture clinic. This is because most people who wear dentures will experience an issue known as bone resorption in their jaws. This is where sections of the jawbone that are no longer receiving stimulation from the tooth roots (because the teeth are missing) end up being reabsorbed by a person's body.
Bone resorption doesn't usually cause any serious health problems; however, it will gradually change the shape of a person's face. These facial changes can affect the way in which a person's dentures fit.
If the dentures are not adjusted as and when these changes occur, they may begin to rub against and lacerate the gums. This will not only make the wearer very uncomfortable but could also put them at risk of developing oral infections, as bacteria may seep into the open wounds created by the ill-fitting dentures. In an elderly person with a compromised immune system, infections of this kind could be difficult to resolve. As such, it is sensible for older people who wear dentures to have them adjusted by someone at their local denture clinic at least once or twice a year.
Share10 July 2018
Hello there! Welcome to my blog. I would like to start by telling you a story about something that happened to me many years ago. I was working in Sydney at the time as an investment banker. The hours were long and I would party every weekend to de-stress. I put on a lot of weight and began to have problems sleeping. I didn't pay much attention to the problems, as I thought I was invincible. However, one day I collapsed at work. At the hospital the doctors saved my life. Since then, I have become very interested in health and medical matters.