Dental Health for Seniors
The Senior population in this country is on the rise. Currently at 13.7%, people over 65 will be 23% of the population by 2040.
Oral health is particularly important to the elderly. Sixty percent(60%) of people over 65 still have some or all of their natural teeth. Many seniors become increasingly susceptible to systemic conditions. They can become more prone to oral diseases that may lead to:
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Moderate to severe pain
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Need for dental care
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Altered communication
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Malnutrition
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Further susceptibility to infectious disease
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Diminished quality of life.
YES, THE QUALITY OF LIFE MAY BE COMPROMISED BY THE DISCOMFORT AND PAIN OF DENTAL DISEASE. AND, SOME 120 PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CONDITIONS MAY LEAD EITHER TO SYMPTOMS IN THE ORAL CAVITY OR, THEY MAY AFFECT A PERSONS ABILITY TO PERFORM GOOD ORAL HYGIENE!
What to Do?
All persons, especially those with health problems, should be thoroughly screened for:
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- Cavities
- Periodontal diseases
- Oral and throat cancer
- Other local and systemic diseases that show up in the mouth.
However, many older people are confined to their homes or to specialized facilities.
To solve this problem, the California Legislature has created a category of dental health professionals called the Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice. (RDHAP).
The RDHAP provides specific preventive procedures such as:
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CONDITIONS AND DISEASES
XEROSTOMIA
(dry mouth) is a very common problem, but especially for the elderly. Dry mouth is a side/effect of over 400 medications such as:
- Antidepressants
- Anti/ Hypertensive
- Anti/Parkinsons Medications
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents
- Antihistamines
- Anti/Psychotics
It is uncomfortable and can interfere with the ability to speak, taste, chew and swallow.
In persons with dentures, dry mouth may cause pain, irritation, susceptibility to fungal infection or just plain difficulty in the use of the denture. Tooth decay and gum disease are aggravated.
DIABETICS
Are at greater risk for oral infections and gum disease. Healing from disease treatment can be impaired
GUM DISEASE
Has been recently linked with heart disease as well as osteoporosis