When I had a badly decayed tooth extracted, I got a partial denture to fill in the gap. I didn't mind it at first, because I was just so happy to have my painful tooth out of my mouth. Over time, I began to get tired of taking it out at night. I asked my dentist if I was could get a dental implant, and he said that my gum disease did not make me a good candidate, but a fixed bridge may be a good option for me. I went with his suggestion, and I have no regrets. I love feeling like I have a real tooth again that I don't have to remove at night. I created this blog to remind other people with a missing tooth that they have many replacement options, and if one is not for you, then try another that may be right.
For many seniors, suffering from dental complications is thought to be a normal part of the aging process. This is, however, not necessarily true, as your teeth are designed to last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene and professional dental care.
There are certain dental problems, such as gum disease, that shouldn't be associated with aging. This article seeks to debunk common myths about seniors and gum disease so you can take steps to prevent it or seek early treatment.
Gum disease is inevitable
There is a misconception that gum disease is simply an inevitable result of aging, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it.
The fact is that gum disease is preventable with proper oral hygiene. The condition is caused by a buildup of plaque deep within the gums, leading to bacterial infection of the soft tissue around the mouth. Regular visits to your dentist for professional dental cleaning can help prevent plaque buildup and keep your gums healthy. During such cleanings, your dentist will usually perform deep cleaning that helps dislodge plaque deposits inside the gums that are too stubborn to remove during regular brushing.
You will usually notice the onset of gum disease
Unfortunately, gum disease is often quite difficult to detect, as it develops very slowly over time. Regular dental visits are therefore crucial to ensuring the disease is detected early.
If allowed to progress, gum disease can lead to eventual tooth loss. Luckily, dentists are trained to look for subtle signs of the disease. For instance, redness and bleeding of your gums can point to the onset of gum disease.
Other signs that dentists look for include the occurrence or sores in the mouth and pus between your teeth and gums, loose/separating teeth, reseeding gums and persistent bad breath. Typically, your dentist will perform scaling and root planing treatment to halt the development the disease and restore the health of your gums.
Gum disease doesn't affect the rest of your heath
Unfortunately, gum disease in its advanced stages can adversely affect more than just your oral health. Bacteria that cause gum disease can spread and cause disease to major organs such as your heart, kidneys and respiratory system. Untreated gum disease is often associated with conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis.
Gum disease doesn't have to affect your well-being as you age. As a senior, your best defense in the fight against the disease is practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist for regular checkups and teeth cleanings.
Talk to a dental professional like Robert Tartaglione DDS for more information.
Share29 March 2016
