Two Conditions Affecting Older Adults
Surveyed dentists have said the conditions they see most often in patients 65 years and older are:
- Dry mouth
- Caries Cavities
Dry Mouth
Several situations can cause your mouth to be dry all or most of the time. Among the most common are:
- Many medications (both over-the-counter and prescription)
- Long-term diseases like diabetes and Sjorgen syndrome
- Habits like tobacco and alcohol use
Several things can be tried to help control dry mouth:
- Sipping water or sugarless drinks that do not contain caffeine
- Sucking (not chewing) on ice chips
- Using sugar-free chewing gum or sugar-free candy to stimulate saliva production
Examples of behaviors people with dry mouth should avoid include:
- Eating salty or spicy foods
- Drinking alcohol or caffeine containing beverages
- Using tobacco products
Caries and Cavities
Older adults are especially at risk of cavities on the roots of the teeth. As you age, your gum tissue may pull away from the tooth to expose the softer root surface. Dentists have a few fluoride options to help stop or even reverse carries. Your dentist can prescribe a high-fluoride toothpaste or gel for you to brush your teeth with at home or may recommend that you use a mouthrinse with fluoride in it. Fluoride varnish is a liquid that a dental professional paints onto the diseased area or all of the tooth to prevent new cavities. It dries quickly. It typically needs to be applied more than once. Fluoride gel is another treatment that is easy to apply. Your dental professional puts the gel into a tray that fits in your mouth. During the treatment, fluoride is absorbed by the tooth to help prevent caries. Like fluoride varnish, the gel needs to be applied more than once. Talk to your dentist about these treatments.
Prevent Caries
Here are a few things you can do to help prevent caries:
- Brush your teeth with an over-the-counter fluoride toothpaste twice per day
- Clean between your teeth daily with floss or another interdental cleaner
- Eat a healthy diet that limits sugary drinks and snacks
- See your dentist regularly
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