Oral health affects the quality of life and overall wellness. If you are to turn the tide on the bad oral health in aged care, the Royal Commission’s proposal of introducing a Senior Dental Benefits Scheme should be given the first priority by the commissioners.

According to the latest dental news, coming up with such a scheme is important to build better oral health among the seniors. Under the proposed scheme, there are numerous benefits that seniors could get from having good oral health care, such as avoiding:

• Pneumonia

Seniors with poor dental health, particularly those who smoke tobacco, are at a higher risk of getting bacterial pneumonia. The reason for this is that, as you breathe, bacteria in your mouth will travel to the lungs.

However, maintaining good oral hygiene may help to lower the risks of getting this type of pneumonia.

• Dry Mouth

Getting old does not necessarily make your mouth dry. Though some aging features, like chronic conditions and more regular medications, may increase the risks of having a dry mouth.

Your dentist may recommend different methods to restore moisture in your mouth or proper medications to avoid problems associated with a dry mouth.

• Darkened Teeth

Darkened teeth are caused by a lifetime of using stain-causing beverages or foodstuffs and dentin changes, which underlies the tooth enamel.

A darkened tooth might indicate a serious problem, which needs to be checked by a dentist. Treatments like bonding may help to discolor your teeth. Most senior dental patients prefer bonding with a dentist for life to prevent further damages and handle:

• Tooth erosion
• Cavities
• Cracked teeth
• Old fillings

• Sensitive Teeth

Teeth sensitivity is unavoidable. Worn enamel and fractures can make your teeth more sensitive to particular tastes and temperatures. 

Brushing may prevent sensitive teeth, but it is important to avoid being aggressive because it might damage your gums and teeth.

• Root Decay

Seniors are likely to experience root decay because the cavities appear more often around the gums than at the edge of fillings. Root decay is a common problem in seniors, which may occur because of different factors like acid. 

The acidic foodstuffs wear away the tooth enamel, so as you get older, it is very common for your gums to recede. When the gums recede, the roots of your teeth will be more exposed, making them vulnerable to decay.

• Periodontal

This is among the common gum diseases among seniors. The disease is caused by a plaque buildup that leads to difficulty chewing, bleeding, inflammation, and pain.

Based on some dental reports, there is a link between gum disease and diabetes. This shows that the complications of periodontal can worsen diabetes symptoms.

The Bottom Line!

Taking good care of your gums and teeth is essential throughout your life. As you grow older, taking good care of your teeth remains important so as to maintain overall health and quality of life.

Therefore, as an elderly, you need to follow a strict regimen of mouth and tooth care.