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 of their natural teeth. Many seniors become increasingly susceptible to systemic conditions. They can become more prone to oral diseases that may lead to:
Yes, the quality of life may be compromised by the discomfort and pain of dental disease. Some 120 physical or mental conditions may lead to symptoms in the oral cavity or may affect a persons ability to perform good oral hygiene1.
(1Dental health for senior at http://www.netwellness.org)
- Moderate to severe pain
- Need for dental care
- Altered communication
- Malnutrition
- Further susceptinility to infectious disease
- Diminished quality of life
Yes, the quality of life may be compromised by the discomfort and pain of dental disease. Some 120 physical or mental conditions may lead to symptoms in the oral cavity or may affect a persons ability to perform good oral hygiene1.
(1Dental health for senior at http://www.netwellness.org)
What To Do?
"No one should suffer from oral diseases or conditions that can be effectively treated or prevented."
Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FA
C Surgeon General, US Public Health Service
All persons, especially those with health problems, should be thoroughly screened for:
However, many older people are confined to their homes or to specialied facilities. To solve this problem, California Legislature has created a category of dental health professionals called the Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice, (RDHAP). The RDHAP deliver specific 'on site" preventative procedures such as:
Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FA
C Surgeon General, US Public Health Service
All persons, especially those with health problems, should be thoroughly screened for:
- 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 specialied facilities. To solve this problem, California Legislature has created a category of dental health professionals called the Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice, (RDHAP). The RDHAP deliver specific 'on site" preventative procedures such as:
- Oral health screening
- Fluoride application
- Preventative sealants
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:
It is uncomfortable and can interfere with the ability to speak, taste, chew and swallow. Dry mouth may cause pain, irritation, susceptibility to fungal infection or just plain difficulty in the use of a denture. Tooth decay and gum disease are aggravated. Diabetes 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 disease2, 3 as well as osteoporosis.
2National Institue of dental and craniofacial research, Feb.2005, http//www.Nidcr.nihgov/
3American Academy of Periodontology, htttps://www.perio.org/
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Anti-hypertensives
- Anti-psychotics
- Anti-Parkinson's medications
- Anti-inflammatory agents
It is uncomfortable and can interfere with the ability to speak, taste, chew and swallow. Dry mouth may cause pain, irritation, susceptibility to fungal infection or just plain difficulty in the use of a denture. Tooth decay and gum disease are aggravated. Diabetes 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 disease2, 3 as well as osteoporosis.
2National Institue of dental and craniofacial research, Feb.2005, http//www.Nidcr.nihgov/
3American Academy of Periodontology, htttps://www.perio.org/