Senior Oral Care

Today, ever more increasingly, commercial toothpastes are coming under close scrutiny with regard to their long term adverse side effects on health. At the same time much attention is being given to the use of natural toothpastes by Seniors, Teens and the young.

It is the use of natural substances in these toothpaste which make them so attractive in this age of ‘health awareness’ and the use of natural products.

Being realistic, any toothpaste plays no part in the removal of food particles, or other substances from between the teeth, it is the act of brushing and flossing which does this, and the only part the toothpaste plays is to act as a germ killer and to leave a pleasant taste in the mouth of the user.

Tags: Commercial Toothpaste, Natural Toothpaste, Seniors

Just because a person is aging, gives no reason why they should lose their ability to smile happily, especially if the loss of a smile is due to a dental disorder.

There are many dental advances which will cure most dental problems ranging from missing tooth replacement, false teeth (dentures), crowns and dental bridges, all of which can restore happy smiles to the faces of the elderly.

Within the mouth there is a Natural Balance, the upper teeth have functioning contact with the lower teeth. However this natural balance can be upset by teeth loss, gum disorder or other oral problems.

What Can Happen If Natural Mouth Balance is Upset?

Tags: Crowns and Dental Bridges, Happy Smiles, Natural Balance

Many years ago when tooth powders, toothpaste and mouthwashes were unheard of, people would brush and clean their teeth using natural substances. Often  a stick or small twig from the ‘Neem” tree would be used when softened.

Chewing on this stick would not only transfer nutrients to the stomach, but would whiten, and prevent tooth decay.

By and large, the teeth texture of most people similar, but each individual may have differing problems, one tooth decay, another gum disease.

Although most commercial toothpastes claim to be the ‘cure all’ for dental problems, few seldom satisfy this role.

For the ‘do it yourself’ and budgetary conscious senior citizen, it makes good sense that they should revert back to natural ways of preserving oral health, and prepare their own toothpaste.

Tags: Glycerin, Natural Substances, Neem Tree, Toothpaste

If a tooth is lost or extracted, or if as is often the case in elderly people, all teeth are lost, the Artificial (False) teeth are readily available.

It is possible to replace single teeth, or have a partial or even complete set of such false teeth made to suit any one individual.

Four Main Types of Denture Fittings.

1. Fixed Partial Set (Fixed Bridge). Either one or more false tooth is inserted and held between two healthy teeth. This kind of bridge is non removable.

1. Removable Partial Dentures. The inserted false teeth are held by clasps, and held in position by adjacent natural teeth. These false teeth are removable.

Tags: Bridges, Dentures. Implants, False Teeth

All ages can enjoy good Oral Health and gain the advantages of having healthy teeth and gums by following a regular pattern regular visits to the dentist

n  Look after your teeth from an early age, and they will stay healthy for life.

n  Look after your gums from an early age, and they will stay healthy for life.

It is common sense, that if you take care of your Oral Hygiene, being taught, and repeating the practice from an early age then your mouth will give you no problems from an oral point of view.

Tags: Oral Health, Oral Hygiene, Teeth and Gums

There are an estimated 20 Million sufferers of Asthma in the USA today, many of whom are senior citizens.

The dental profession is now becoming aware of an increasing number of elderly patients, who, whilst taking medication for asthma are also showing increasing signs of oral health problems.

Most asthmatics breath through their mouth, and this combined with the usual corticosteroid medicine given for asthma, leads to a much reduced saliva flow. Saliva is the natural cleaner of the mouth and when its effects are reduced, asthma sufferers have a higher risk of  tooth cavities in any remaining natural teeth and bad breath.

The use of asthmatic inhalers can cause irritation at the back of the mouth, leading to infections which can spread throughout all of the oral regions.

Tags: Asthma, Oral Health, Saliva, Senior Citizens

A Caregiver, who is responsible for taking care of an elderly person provides a constant monitoring of the health of the elderly person.

Very often, family and close friends keep a look out for signs of health problems also.  However, usually, it is the Caregiver who is more or less the constant companion of her charge, and probably would be the first person to become aware of problems associated with the Oral Hygiene of the elderly person.

Here are some steps which the caregiver should take to assist the person, but occasionally the person may not like the help of the caregiver, in which case the advice of a dentist should be sought out.

Tags: Elderly Person, Natural Teeth, Oral Hygiene

The chemotherapy treatment in the elderly can affect normal cells as well as cancer cells, this is true for cells located in the Gastrointestinal tract including the mouth, which can be particularly prone to damage.

If the senior patient is receiving treatment in the head and neck areas. Then oral complications can set in. Very often this situation is manageable, but on other occasions the immediate treatment has to be stopped.

Common Oral Problems Associated with Chemotherapy.

n  Inflammation of the mucous membranes within the mouth, leading to infection.

n  Complications such as Dysphagia, or extreme difficulty in swallowing, may be experienced.

n  As a result of oral problems, dehydration and malnutrition may occur.

Tags: Cancer, Chemotherapy, Elderly, Gastrointestinal Tract, Mouth

There are many elderly people who have only a limited income or pension, and find the day to day living expenses difficult enough without the additional expenses of visits to the dentist, let alone paying the price of any dentures which may be required.

Some Advice on Obtaining Affordable Dentures,

1        If the elderly person is not capable, have a relative browse around on the Internet. There are many dentists listed, and the more dentists you contact, the greater the chance of finding one who will provide what is needed within the persons budget range.

Tags: Elderly People, Expenses. Dentist, Limited Income

For any senior person suffering from the loss of one tooth or more they have the option of choosing either having an implant or false teeth.

Since dental implants require surgery, a reliable cosmetic dentist should be consulted, the implant operation can be quite a lengthy procedure.

As is usual with any kind of surgery, the patient will experience some bruising, swelling, and pain in the mouth, but this will subside within a few days.

Attaching Dental Implants.

If the senior person opts for dental implants, then, so long as her/his jaw bone is sufficiently strong, to provide a firm anchorage point the implant procedure can give excellent results both for cosmetic appearance and much enhanced eating ability.

Tags: Dental Implant, Senior Person, Surgery