Here in Canada, many seniors suffer from poor oral health. Access to dental care, absentmindedness and financial reasons may contribute to poor dental health in members of the senior community. Unfortunately, reduced dental health is connected to major health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and pneumonia, all of which can lead to a drastically lower quality of life for seniors.
Many Canadian seniors do not possess dental care coverage. This lack of coverage coupled with other health issues that affect older members of society have serious health implications, putting seniors at risk for dental diseases. Some elderly experience difficulty brushing and flossing due to mobility issues (arthritis being a huge cause of agility loss). Others have trouble producing adequate saliva because of certain medications they take. Damage to teeth can lead to their eventual loss and a mass of cognitive problems such as forgetfulness and lowered flexibility.
Things to look out for when it comes to seniors dental health
- Darkened teeth
- Dry mouth
- Weakened sense of taste
- Root decay
- Gum disease
- Uneven jawbone
- Denture-induced stomatitis (fungus)
- Oral candidiasis (thrush)
If you or a senior you know is affected by any of the above, they should visit a dentist. If the senior in question is not mobile, talk to their principal caregiver about dental health issues. Their caregiver may not be spending enough time on the senior’s dental hygiene. They may not be brushing their teeth long enough, or are not making sure they receive ample dental care. Even if the senior doesn’t have any remaining natural teeth, their caregiver should be ensuring their dentures are clean.
We can all do our part to help the seniors in our lives maintain great tooth health. Your dentist can provide you and the seniors in your life with information regarding tooth care for those who are 65 years old and over. The Canadian Dental Association says you are never too old improve the health of your teeth and gums, so reach out to your dentist today and give back the smile to the seniors in your life.