Core information on oral health for the elderly on National Love Teeth Day 2023

1. Maintain oral health and promote overall health

Oral health is closely related to overall health. Oral health is an important part of overall health. Dental caries and periodontal disease are bacterial infectious diseases that can endanger overall health and affect the quality of life. The impact of systemic diseases on oral health cannot be ignored. Some systemic diseases can show corresponding symptoms in the oral cavity. For example, diabetes and periodontal disease are closely related and affect each other. Therefore, it is necessary to take good care of oral health and actively treat systemic diseases.

2. Brush your teeth every morning and evening and use tools to clean the gaps between teeth

It is not inevitable that people will lose their teeth as they age. As long as the elderly still have teeth in their mouths, they should brush their teeth every morning and evening, and it is more important to brush their teeth before going to bed at night. Do not brush your teeth vigorously horizontally to avoid damaging your teeth and gums. The elderly need to choose interproximal cleaning tools according to the size of the gaps between their teeth. For those with less obvious gum atrophy, dental floss can be used. For those with gum atrophy and obvious gaps between their teeth, interdental brushes can be used. Different models should be selected according to the size of the gaps between their teeth. Do not force the brush into the teeth to avoid damaging the gums.

3. Dentures also need to be cleaned thoroughly every day

Whether it is dental implants, fixed dentures, or removable dentures, they all need daily cleaning and maintenance just like natural teeth. Dental implants and fixed dentures cannot be removed and worn. Food residues and bacteria may remain around them, so you need to brush your teeth and use interdental brushes and water flossers. Removable dentures need to be removed and cleaned after each meal with a soft-bristled brush. Before going to bed, remove removable dentures and soak them in cold water or with denture cleaner. Rinse them with clean water the next morning before putting them back on.
4. Topical fluoride and a healthy diet to prevent root caries. Elderly people often have gingival atrophy and exposed tooth roots. Due to reduced saliva and inadequate cleaning, tooth roots are prone to caries, i.e. root caries, which is one of the common oral diseases in the elderly. To prevent root caries, you can use topical fluoride, such as brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, and regularly go to the hospital for fluoride treatment. Eat a healthy diet, control the total amount and frequency of sweets, and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Root caries should be treated promptly.

5. Pay attention to gum bleeding and loose teeth to prevent periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is the main cause of tooth loss. If teeth are not cleaned properly, dental plaque will accumulate. Over time, the gums will become inflamed, the alveolar bone will be absorbed, the teeth will become loose, and eventually they will fall out. If the elderly have problems such as red, swollen, and bleeding gums, bad breath, loose and displaced teeth, etc., they need to be vigilant and should seek medical attention in time to actively treat periodontal disease and try to retain natural teeth.

6. Remove teeth that cannot be retained and repair missing teeth in time

If the elderly have teeth that cannot be retained, they should be removed in time, such as residual crowns, roots, or particularly loose teeth. Otherwise, it will affect the oral function at the least, and cause systemic infection at the worst, affecting the quality of life. The elderly should repair their missing teeth in time to maintain the integrity of the dentition and restore the basic oral function. Generally, the repair is carried out 2-3 months after the extraction. The methods for repairing missing teeth include removable repair, fixed repair, and implant repair.

7. Pay attention to changes in oral mucosa to prevent oral cancer

The elderly are at a high risk of oral mucosal diseases. The elderly should pay attention to changes in the oral mucosa. If they find ulcers that have not healed for more than two weeks, or abnormal oral mucosal manifestations such as nodules, white or red patches, they should seek medical attention in time. If the oral mucosa is subjected to adverse stimulation for a long time or there is a habit of smoking and drinking, oral leukoplakia and even oral cancer are likely to occur. Therefore, early prevention should be carried out, smoking and drinking habits should be quit, and betel nut chewing should not be used.

8. Have an oral health check-up every year and clean your teeth at least once

The prevalence of oral diseases in the elderly is high, the rate of development is fast, and the self-repair ability is weak. Therefore, the elderly need to have an oral health check at least once a year, and it is recommended to clean teeth once a year, which is conducive to early detection and early treatment of oral diseases. Doctors will also take appropriate preventive measures according to the situation to prevent the occurrence of oral diseases and control the development of oral diseases.