Geriatric Dentistry

Taking care of elderly teeth and gums is just as important as digestive or heart health. Research has shown that there is a connection between gum disease and heart disease. Maintaining good oral hygiene is a powerful weapon against heart attacks, strokes, and other heart disease conditions

Poor oral hygiene increases bacterial invasion and causes gum problems-loosening or decay of teeth; pain and difficulty in eating; insufficient chewing efficiency; inadequate nutrition; declining health-mental and physical degeneration

WHY MEET A DENTIST

As age increases,

• Yellowing or discoloration of teeth-due to gradual removal of first layer of tooth enamel-exposure of second layer dentin-due to higher mechanical friction, improper brushing habit-causing attrition, abrasion-on severe may lead to sensitivity-on further nerve supplying teeth may expose-severe pain
• Unnoticed infection-accumulating bacteria-gums-weekening-receding gums are more visible-root exposure initiates-leads to root caries easily-progressing recession-mobility of teeth
• Improper oral maintenance-increased oral bacterial flora-Increased prone to gum disease, more decay of teeth, teeth loss-shows association of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, gastritis
• Insufficient nutrition is prone to bleeding and swelling of gum tissue, paleness, and recession
• Reduced functioning and size of Salivary gland; reduced salivary secretion; dryness of mouth; bad breath-taste disorders (tongue and gum inflammation); more prone to caries-affected oral health
• Diabetic patients: reduced immunity; increased bacterial load; gum infection; shaky teeth
• Improper oral hygiene-bacterial accumulation-gum infection-bleeding while brushing-bacteria enters blood stream-enhanced cause of endocarditis and other cardiovascular diseases

In association, other diseases include

Stroke-affected or hypertensive patients: damaged nerve supply; reduced sensation; loss of taste; improved muscle activity; swallowing difficulty; prohibition of oral hygiene; increased oral infection

Gastritis-acids from stomach-enter oral cavity-erode layers of teeth-exposes pulp-on severity causes pain

Missing teeth, improper chewing, imbalanced digestion, and gastric problems-nurtured nutrition-weight loss

As age increases, a diminished sense of taste, reduced salivary secretion, incomplete chewing, improper digestion, and reduced nutrition

Osteoporosis, or “thinning bones, in association with other diseases, leads to profuse, faster bone loss and makes the bones of older adults more fragile and easy to break.