Over 50's / Senior Dental Care

All of us want to stay healthy throughout our lives. This includes keeping most of our natural teeth.

Just the simple fact that we are keeping our natural teeth longer means our teeth are more at risk of some dental conditions. Oral conditions that are more common in the second half of life include dry mouth, tooth decay on the root surfaces of teeth, gum disease, tooth wear and tooth sensitivity.

Tooth Decay

The risk of tooth decay may be increased due to:

	dry mouth
	having too many sugary snacks or drinks
	not having enough daily flouride protection
	not being able to clean away plaque

Changes in lifestyle such as stopping or changing work, moving house or the psychological impact of losing a loved one can disrupt normal daily care and diet, increasing the risk of caries. Medicines may contain high levels of "hidden sugars" or may reduce saliva flow.

Decay in adults can be common around fillings and between teeth. A particular problem may be decay on the root surfaces of teeth when gums recede. When gums recede, teeth may appear to be getting longer, as the root of the tooth becomes more visible.

What to do

	Have a look in your mouth regularly. Although you cannot check your mouth as well as a dental professional, you may see some early signs of tooth decay. Gently lift your lip and look at your teeth near the gumline. Early decay may look like a white spot near the gumline. A dark spot may be decay or may be a stain. Your dentist can confirm if you have tooth decay.
	Use a fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily, especially before bedtime
	If you have trouble brushing thoroughly, try an electric toothbrush
	Make changes to your diet to reduce sugar intake such as replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners
	If you have dry mouth, follow the advice for dry mouth
	Never change medicines without first talking to your doctor
	If your dentist confirms that your are at risk of tooth decay, you may need to increase your flouride protection.

Saliva Flow - Dry Mouth Dental Care

Saliva is the body's natural defense against tooth decay. Saliva washes away acids and puts minerals back into teeth. If you lack adequate saliva flow, your teeth can decay and wear away more easily and you can get more gum problems. Smoking, caffeine, depression, some medicines and illnesses that affect saliva glands may reduce your saliva flow.

There is a simple test to see if you have normal saliva flow. Looking into a mirror, gently pull down your lower lip with one hand and dry the inside of your lip with a clean, dry cloth or tissue. Watch your lip closely while breathing through your nose. If you have good saliva flow, you should see small beads of saliva ooze from the glands inside your lip within one minute. If the inside of your lip is still dry after one minute, you may have a problem with saliva flow. A dentist can advise you further.

What to do

If you do not have enough saliva, it is important to find out why. Then you can make changes that may help relieve the feeling of dry mouth or may help improve the amount of saliva your body produces. For example, if caffeine is found to be affecting your saliva flow, you might try to substitute other drinks. Never change medicines without first consulting your doctor.

The feeling of dry mouth can be relieved using a saliva replacement product, chewing sugarless chewing gum, taking frequent sips of water or using a small spray bottle (atomiser) to frequently spray water in your mouth, particularly at meal times and bedtime. It is important not to suck on sugary sweets or to drink sugary drinks to relieve the feeling of a dry mouth. These habits can cause very rapid tooth decay.

If a dental professional confirms that you have a problem with saliva flow, you might benefit from using products that gives you more fluoride protection such as Colgate Neutrafluor 5000 Plus toothpaste.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is preventable by thoroughly removing plaque every day, but daily habits can be disrupted when you are too busy or too stressed. And what happens when removing plaque is not a simple task because of failing eyesight or due to conditions that make holding a toothbrush difficult? What happens when a person is too ill to brush properly for a period of time?

What to do

Where thorough plaque removal proves difficult, the use of products containing chlorhexidine or triclosan may help prevent the buildup of plaque

For people with limited dexterity, a battery powered or electric toothbrush may be of special assistance.  Aids to help remove plaque between teeth include interdental brushes, floss holders and toothpicks.

Tooth wear from toothbrushing

You can wear away (abrade) your teeth at the gumline by using a toothbrush that is too hared or by using a scrubbing action when brushing. This can also contribute to causing receding gums.

What to do

	Always use a soft toothbrush
	Use a gentle circular motion at the gumline
	The oscillating action of a battery powered or electric toothbrush can reduce the risk of abrasion that is caused by improper brushing action (scrubbing)
	Always let your toothbrush do the work! You don't need to apply pressure.

Tooth wear from acids

Acids can dissolve (erode) enamel off teeth. Often teeth that appear to be severely worn down have been affected by erosion. The acids that erode tooth enamel usually come from foods and drinks or from gastric reflux. Some inhalers, especially those containing steroids can cause dental erosion.

What to do

You need to see your doctor if you suspect that you have gastric reflux
Changes in diet can be difficult, but even a little change in diet like substituting water for other drinks may make a big difference
Where a dental professional confirms that you have dental erosion, additional fluoride protection is needed for a period of time until the cause of the erosion is found and controlled.

Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity has a number of causes. Teeth can become sensitive when enamel is lost, teeth are decayed or root surfaces of teeth are exposed.

What to do

First, you need to find out why your teeth are sensitive
Sensitivity may need to be managed by a dental professional, for example, if the sensitivity is caused by tooth decay. Dental professionals can also apply special products to he surface of the teeth to give relief
In other cases, special toothpastes and gels are available in supermarkets and pharmacies to help reduce sensitivity.