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Taking
Care of Your Teeth and Mouth
A healthy smile is
a bonus at any age. Too often older people-especially those who
wear false teeth (or dentures)-feel they no longer need dental
checkups. If you haven't learned the basics of oral health care,
it is not too late to start. And even if you have, it's a good
time to review.
Tooth Decay (Cavities)
Tooth decay is not just a children’s disease; it can happen
as long as natural teeth are in the mouth. Tooth decay is caused
by bacteria that normally live in the mouth. The bacteria cling
to teeth and form a sticky, colorless film called dental plaque.
The bacteria in plaque live on sugars and produce decay causing
acids that dissolve minerals on tooth surfaces. Tooth decay
can also develop on the exposed roots of the teeth if you have
gum disease or receding gums (where gums pull away from the
teeth, exposing the roots).
Just as with children,
fluoride is important for adult teeth. Research has shown that
adding fluoride to the water supply is the best and least costly
way to prevent tooth decay. In addition, using fluoride toothpastes
and mouthrinses can add protection. Daily fluoride rinses can
be bought at most drug stores without a prescription. If you
have a problem with cavities, your dentist or dental hygienist
may give you a fluoride treatment during the office visit. The
dentist may prescribe a fluoride gel or mouthrinse for you to
use at home.
Gum (Periodontal)
Disease
A common cause of tooth loss after age 35 is gum (periodontal)
disease. These are infections of the gum and bone that hold
the teeth in place. Gum diseases are also caused by dental plaque.
The bacteria in plaque causes the gums to become inflamed and
bleed easily. If left untreated, the disease gets worse as pockets
of infection form between the teeth and gums. This causes receding
gums and loss of supporting bone. You may lose enough bone to
cause your teeth to become loose and fall out.
You can prevent
gum disease by removing plaque. Thoroughly brush and floss your
teeth each day. Carefully check your mouth for early signs of
disease such as red, swollen, or bleeding gums. See your dentist
regularly every 6-12 months - or at once if these signs are
present.
Cleaning Your
Teeth and Gums
An important part of good oral health is knowing how to brush
and floss correctly. Thorough brushing each day removes plaque.
Gently brush the teeth on all sides with a soft bristle brush
using a fluoride toothpaste. Circular and short back-and-forth
strokes work best. Take the time to brush carefully along the
gum line. Lightly brushing your tongue also helps to remove
plaque and food debris and makes your mouth feel fresh.
In addition to brushing,
using dental floss is necessary to keep the gums healthy. Proper
flossing is important because it removes plaque and leftover
food that a toothbrush cannot reach. Your dentist or dental
hygienist can show you the best way to brush and floss your
teeth. If brushing or flossing results in bleeding gums, pain,
or irritation, see your dentist at once.
An antibacterial
mouthrinse, approved for the control of plaque and swollen gums,
may be prescribed by your dentist. The mouthrinse is used in
addition to careful daily brushing and flossing.
Some people (with
arthritis or other conditions that limit motion) may find it
hard to hold a toothbrush. To overcome this, the toothbrush
handle can be attached to the hand with a wide elastic band
or may be enlarged by attaching it to a sponge, styrofoam ball,
or similar object. People with limited shoulder movement may
find brushing easier if the handle of the brush is lengthened
by attaching a long piece of wood or plastic. Electric toothbrushes
are helpful to many.
Other Conditions
of the Mouth
Dry mouth (xerostomia) is common in many adults and may
make it hard to eat, swallow, taste, and speak. The condition
happens when salivary glands fail to work properly as a result
of various diseases or medical treatments, such as chemotherapy
or radiation therapy to the head and neck area. Dry mouth is
also a side effect of more than 400 commonly used medicines,
including drugs for high blood pressure, antidepressants, and
antihistamines. Dry mouth can affect oral health by adding to
tooth decay and infection.
Until recently,
dry mouth was regarded as a normal part of aging. We now know
that healthy older adults produce as much saliva as younger
adults. So, if you think you have dry mouth, talk with your
dentist or doctor. To relieve the dryness, drink extra water
and avoid sugary snacks, beverages with caffeine, tobacco, and
alcohol - all of which increase dryness in the mouth.
Cancer therapies,
such as radiation to the head and neck or chemotherapy, can
cause oral problems, including dry mouth, tooth decay, painful
mouth sores, and cracked and peeling lips. Before starting cancer
treatment, it is important to see a dentist and take care of
any necessary dental work. Your dentist will also show you how
to care for your teeth and mouth before, during, and after your
cancer treatment to prevent or reduce the oral problems that
can occur.
Oral cancer
(mouth cancer) most often occurs in people over age 40. The
disease frequently goes unnoticed in its early, curable stages.
This is true in part because many older people, particularly
those wearing full dentures, do not visit their dentists often
enough and because pain is usually not an early symptom of the
disease. People who smoke cigarettes, use other tobacco products,
or drink excessive amounts of alcohol are at increased risk
for oral cancer.
It is important
to spot oral cancer as early as possible, since treatment works
best before the disease has spread. If you notice any red or
white patches on the gums or tongue, sores that do not heal
within 2 weeks, or if you have difficulty chewing or swallowing,
be sure to see a dentist.
A head and neck
exam, which should be a part of every dental check-up, will
allow your dentist to detect early signs of oral cancer.
Dentures
If you wear false teeth (dentures), keep them clean and free
from food that can cause stains, bad breath, and gum irritation.
Once a day, brush all surfaces of the dentures with a denture
care product. Remove your dentures from your mouth and place
them in water or a denture cleansing liquid while you sleep.
It is also helpful to rinse your mouth with a warm salt water
solution in the morning, after meals, and at bedtime.
Partial dentures
should be cared for in the same way as full dentures. Because
bacteria tend to collect under the clasps of partial dentures,
it is especially important to clean this area.
Dentures will seem
awkward at first. When learning to eat with false teeth, select
soft nonsticky food, cut food into small pieces, and chew slowly
using both sides of the mouth. Dentures may make your mouth
less sensitive to hot foods and liquids, and lower your ability
to detect harmful objects such as bones. If problems in eating,
talking, or simply wearing dentures continue after the first
few weeks, see your dentist about making adjustments.
In time, dentures
need to be replaced or readjusted because of changes that occur
in tissues of your mouth. Do not try to repair dentures at home
since this may damage the dentures which in turn may further
hurt your mouth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are anchors that permanently hold replacement
teeth. There are several different types of implants, but the
most popular are metal screws surgically placed into the jaw
bones. If there isn’t enough bone, a separate surgical procedure
to add bone may be needed. Because bone heals slowly, treatment
with implants can often take longer (4 months to 1 year or more)
than bridges or dentures. If you are considering dental implants,
it is important to select an experienced dentist with whom you
can discuss your concerns frankly beforehand to be certain the
procedure is right for you.
Professional
Care
In addition to practicing good oral hygiene, it is important
to have regular check-ups by the dentist whether you have natural
teeth or dentures. It is also important to follow through with
any special treatments that are necessary to ensure good oral
health. For instance, if you have sensitive teeth caused by
receding gums, your dentist may suggest using a special toothpaste
for a few months. Teeth are meant to last a lifetime. By taking
good care of your teeth and gums, you can protect them for years
to come.
Additional Dental
Health Information
More information
about general dental care is available from:
National Institute
of Dental Research (NIDR)
Building 31, Room 2C35
31 CENTER DR MSC 2290
BETHESDA MD 20892-2290
301-496-4261
NIDR publishes
information on oral research and general dental care. Some publications
available are:
- Fever Blisters
and Canker Sores
- Fluoride to Protect
the Teeth of Adults
- Rx for Sound Teeth
- What You Need
to Know About Periodontal (Gum) Disease
National
Oral Health Information Clearinghouse
1 NOHIC Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3500
301-402-7364
NIDR also
offers publications on oral health for special care patients
through the National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse.
Special care patients are people whose medical conditions
or treatments affect oral health. Publications available
include:
- Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
- Chemotherapy and
Oral Health
- Periodontal Disease
and Diabetes - A Guide for Patients
- Radiation Therapy
and Oral Health
- TMD (Temporomandibular
Disorders)
- What You Need
to Know About Oral Cancer
American
Dental Association (ADA)
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
800-621-8099
ADA distributes
educational materials on dental health and sponsors the
National Senior Smile Week.
National
Agricultural Library Food & Nutrition Information Center
Room 304
10301 Baltimore Blvd.
Beltsville, MD 20705 2351
310-504-5719
The Food
AND Nutrition Center offers the bibliography Nutri-Topics
Series: Nutrition and Dental Health. This bibliography
lists information available to consumers.
NIA publishes
fact sheets on various health related topics of interest
to older people and their families. For a complete listing
of publications, call or write to the above address.
The National
Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
1-800-222-2225
1-800-222-4225 (TTY)
National Institute
on Aging
U. S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
1994
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