Tooth Loss And Older People – Your Options In Burton

The loss of teeth becomes more likely as we age. Why is this and what can be done to restore functionality when it occurs?

There is no getting away from the fact that, once we reach a certain age, our body starts to decline in many respects. Some of the early signs are wrinkles and lines on our face, followed by a reduction in energy levels and the ability to run for the bus or train as we used to do. Muscle loss also occurs as very often does the onset of various ailments that are sometimes age related, such as blood pressure and heart problems. In the past, this would have probably led to an earlier death, but thanks to modern medicine, many of us will live a reasonably healthy and active life, even as we grow older.

A similar thing occurs with our teeth and oral health in general. While some problems are perhaps more likely to occur earlier in life, often linked with an increased consumption of sugar which leads to the development of cavities in our teeth, we are likely to notice problems that start to arise as we become older. Some of these are simply related to long term ‘wear and tear’, while others may be a consequence of other health issues.

In today’s blog, our Burton dentists take a look at some of the issues that patients of the SG Dental and Implant Centre might encounter as they grow older, especially tooth loss, and also how we can help to address these issues.

Tooth loss (and other issues)

The problem most often associated with older people and dental problems is that of tooth loss. Most older people will lose some teeth as they enter the later years of their life. Some of this will simply be wear and tear, with teeth simply no longer being healthy enough to survive. Let us take a look then at some of the likely causes of this.

Tooth decay and restoration failure

Tooth decay can happen at any age, but some people find that they develop a sweeter tooth as they become older. This can lead to tooth decay of course, and on ageing teeth, this may be enough to cause a tooth to become so compromised that it needs to be extracted. Similarly, long standing fillings and other restorations may start to fail, requiring further work which may not be effective on older teeth. Old amalgam fillings especially may have developed gaps around them due to shrinkage. Bacteria and food that enters these spaces may cause further decay which requires more of the natural tooth to be removed and it may prove to be impractical to do so.

Gum disease

Older people are more prone to gum disease and especially those of a generation that has probably never used floss or an electric toothbrush. Other issues such as a dry mouth and mobility issues, which we will discuss in a moment, will increase the risk of this. As gum disease worsens and periodontitis occurs, the bone may no longer support the tooth root sufficiently, leading to looseness of the tooth and very possibly, tooth loss.

Dry mouth

Older people tend to have reduced saliva flow. This is a problem as not only does saliva help to break down food ready for digesting, but also helps to wash away bacteria. As the ability to do this diminishes, the amount of bacteria in the mouth is likely to increase. When this is combined with other age related factors, gum disease is likely to occur, increasing the risk of tooth loss.

Medical conditions

Some medical conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis are more likely to occur as we become older and both of these are likely to impact our oral health. You should always let our Burton dental team know of any medical issues when you come for your appointments. This not only helps us to ensure that treatments are carried out safely but also to point to specific issues to look out for. Some medications may also impact your oral health and, where alternatives are appropriate, you can discuss this with your GP. You should never stop taking your medication without their consent though.

Mobility affecting cleaning

Problems like arthritis and other mobility issues can make brushing and flossing our teeth more difficult. Electric toothbrushes certainly help as they do some of the work for you. You might be able to get advice from support groups for issues such as this which might help, and you might be advised to see the hygienist more frequently so that your teeth and gums can be kept clean more regularly.

What to do about tooth loss?

Leaving a gap in the tooth is not advisable, not only from an aesthetic point of view, but from the practicalities of eating. This is especially important as we become older as a varied and healthy diet will keep us in better health and help us to ward off some health issues too.

There are two main ways to address tooth loss. The first of these is to wear dentures. These have improved over the years and look a lot better as well as having improved functionality. The issue remains though that with dentures, you are reliant largely on adhesive and suction between denture and gums to keep them stable in your mouth. This doesn’t always happen and dentures can become loose, causing difficulties with eating, speech and discomfort from soreness caused by friction.

The other option is to have dental implants placed. This procedure provides an artificial tooth root which enables a crown to be attached and, once fully integrated with your jaw bone, will provide you with a realistic looking, strong and secure tooth, or teeth. Implants can be placed individually, or a smaller number used to support a bridge of multiple teeth or even for replacing a full arch of missing teeth.

If you are concerned about the health of your teeth or tooth loss in later life and would like to discuss this with us, please make an appointment to see one of our dentists by calling the SG Dental and Implant Centre today on 01283 845345.