27 percent of seniors over age 65 have no natural teeth remaining. Although, on average, those over 65 have 18 natural teeth remaining.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Common conditions and diseases that affect people over 65 include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gingivitis is a minor gum infection that develops into periodontal disease (PD) if left untreated for a long period of time. PD, also referred to as periodontitis, is a serious oral inflammatory disease that damages the gums, jawbone, and may result in tooth loss. Up to 35 percent of all tooth extractions are due to PD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Periodontitis is the result of poor oral hygiene due to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms include inflamed gums, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and gums that pull away from the teeth. Seniors with PD require specialized treatment for this disease. For example, treatment may include scaling and root planing, flap surgery, bone grafts, or gum grafts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 17 percent of seniors 65 years of age and over have periodontal disease, while 10 percent have severe PD.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Tooth root caries and decay are caused by exposure of the roots to decay-causing acids. As the gums pull away from the teeth (typically due to periodonta\u03a9l disease), the roots accumulate bacteria. This is because roots are less protected than teeth since they do not have enamel. Older individuals have a higher risk of developing gum disease, which also makes them more prone to root decay. Common treatment options for this condition include fillings, tooth extractions, and replacement teeth, such as dental implants or bridges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bad breath can be caused by tobacco use, poor nutrition, excessive coffee or alcohol consumption, medications, not brushing teeth regularly, and dry mouth. As people age, bad breath and dry mouth are more likely to develop, even if the individual has brushed and flossed regularly their entire life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dry mouth occurs when the production of saliva in the mouth decreases. This condition naturally occurs during sleep, which leads to bad \u201cmorning breath.\u201d Older people who sleep with their mouths open or snore often are also more likely to experience dry mouth. Causes of chronic dry mouth include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the condition\u2019s severity, there are many natural ways to reduce bad breath, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teeth stain naturally over the course of a person\u2019s life. These surface stains are the clearest indicators of tooth discoloration. The bumps, grooves, and \u201choles\u201d in teeth pick up the stains, which results in darkening, white streaks, yellowing, or discoloration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tooth color is dependant on an individual\u2019s lifestyle, diet, habits, and oral care practices. Teeth also darken due to a natural aging process, which involves a thickening of the core structure inside a tooth called dentin. This causes an overall yellowing of the teeth as we age. Teeth whitening is a common treatment used to fix discolored teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Factors that may affect tooth color include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If dental cavities are left untreated for a long period of time, more serious oral conditions or diseases may result, such as decay, tooth loss, or periodontal disease. When teeth fall out or need to be extracted due to extreme decay or gum disease, common restorative treatment options include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n After an extraction or tooth loss, an implant is commonly used to replace the permanent tooth. A dental implant, also known as an artificial tooth root, is placed in a patient\u2019s jawbone. In short, the implant mirrors the shape of a screw and bonds with the natural bone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A dental bridge is a fixed (permanent) restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth in a patient\u2019s dental arch. In more serious cases, multiple bridges can be positioned to provide full mouth rehabilitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a person loses all or some of their natural teeth from tooth decay, gum disease, or an injury, dentures are placed to restore some chewing functions and esthetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 95 percent of seniors over 65 years of age have had dental caries in their lifetime. 18 percent have untreated decay.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Oral cancer, also referred to as mouth cancer, begins with the development of abnormal carcinoma cells. As a result, mouth sores, that do not disappear on their own, develop. The disease is life-threatening without early diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, oral cancer is usually discovered after it has spread to another part of the body, such as the lymph nodes of the neck. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are common treatment options, depending on the stage of cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Early detection is the key to a high survival rate. So, it is crucial to see your dentist at least once a year for an oral cancer screening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stomatitis is defined as inflammation of the mouth and lips. In particular, dentures may cause stomatitis in older patients if the artificial teeth do not fit correctly, aren\u2019t cleaned properly, or grow fungus (Candida albicans) over time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After the age of 65, new oral challenges are introduced as the body continues to age. Common conditions that affect seniors include dry mouth, oral cancer, root decay, and gum diseases. Although, active aging alone is not a risk for the development of oral diseases. Oral health also affects digestion, speech, nutrition, self-esteem, quality of life, and social mobility. 85 … <\/p>\nGum Disease (Periodontitis)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"teeth](\"https:\/\/west.sovalogic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/gum-disease_NewMouth-300x225.jpg\" "\\"Dental")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRoot Caries\/Decay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"progression](\"https:\/\/west.sovalogic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/cavity_NewMouth-287x300.jpg\" "\\"Dental")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBad Breath & Dry Mouth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Discolored Teeth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tooth Decay & Tooth Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dental Implants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"jaw](\"https:\/\/west.sovalogic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/dental-implant_NewMouth-300x225.jpg\" "\\"Dental")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDental Bridges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"jaw](\"https:\/\/west.sovalogic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/implant-supported-bridge_NewMouth-300x225.jpg\" "\\"Dental")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDentures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"removable](\"https:\/\/west.sovalogic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/removable-denture_NewMouth-300x300.jpg\" "\\"Dental")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nOral Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stomatitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n