Table of contents:
Teeth have a big role to play in your overall health. However, with age, most of the elderly and the elderly (elderly) are more prone to experiencing various oral and dental problems, including missing teeth. Why does this happen and how can you prevent it? Check out the full review in this article.
At what age do older people become toothless?
Various dental problems are more common in the elderly. However, that does not mean that every elderly person will experience missing teeth. Actually there is no standard at what age the elderly begin to lose teeth. The reason is, teeth are not dead organs like hair which can fall out by itself with age.
That is why, the notion that tooth loss is a normal part of aging is incorrect. If cared for properly from childhood, teeth should last a lifetime. Teeth have a very important role in your overall health, they can even help determine whether you have the possibility of a long life. Therefore, if you don't take good care of your teeth from an early age, then you can experience tooth loss at any age.
So, it's important to remember that age isn't really a determining factor when you start losing teeth. In many cases, here are various causes of tooth loss that you should know and be aware of:
- Trauma. Exposure to a hard impact or a blow hitting the area of the mouth can result in the tooth falling out. Although the impact does not immediately cause the tooth to fall out, it can cause serious tooth decay, which can eventually result in tooth loss or need to be removed.
- Certain medical conditions.Certain medical conditions actually cause tooth loss in old age. Medical conditions that can increase the risk of tooth loss include diabetes, osteomyelitis, high blood pressure (hypertension), rheumatism, and autoimmune diseases.
- Gum disease. Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is one of the main causes of tooth loss in elderly people. In the elderly, plaque can form quickly on the teeth, especially if you do not maintain good oral hygiene. This can not only increase the risk of tooth decay, but can also lead to gum disease which in turn can cause older teeth to fall out easily.
How to prevent tooth loss in old age
Here are some ways you can prevent tooth loss in old age:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day (when you wake up in the morning and before going to bed) with toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Not brushing your teeth too hard as this can not only cause the gums to tear, but also erode the relatively thin tooth enamel. As a result, your teeth are more sensitive.
- Floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing is not just for removing plaque and food debris stuck between teeth. The reason is, flossing can also reduce the risk of gum disease and bad breath caused by plaque along the gum line. It's a good idea to do flossing first before brushing your teeth.
- Cut down on sugary foods. There is no need to stop consuming sugar altogether to maintain healthy teeth and mouth. You only need to limit their consumption.
- Gargle with mouthwash containing an antiseptic once or twice a day. According to the American Dental Association, the use of mouthwash that contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties can reduce the bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease.
- Quit smoking. If you smoke, stop this habit from now on. Because tobacco can not only cause your teeth to turn yellow and lips black, but also will put you at a higher risk of gum disease and oral cancer.
- Routine consultations to the dentist at least every 6 months to perform dental cleaning and check teeth as a whole.
