As we age, dental disease has gradually become an important concern for the elderly, and dental health can fully chew food, reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, and promote nutrient absorption. So, what are the dental diseases of the elderly? How can it be prevented?
What the tooth structure looks like.
The tooth structure is roughly divided into crown, neck and root, which is composed of enamel, dentin, cementum and the pulp inside. Enamel, dentin, and cementum contain more inorganic matter and less organic matter and less water. The pulp is rich in blood vessels and nerves, which can cause sensitivity and pain when stimulated.
Common dental diseases.
Periodontal disease. Periodontal disease refers to inflammatory diseases that occur in the hard and soft tissues around the teeth. Bacterial microbial deposition is the cause of periodontal disease, gingivitis is an early symptom, and as the disease progresses, there may be red, swollen, painful gums, exposed tooth roots, alveolar bone resorption, and larger and larger interdental gaps, resulting in loosening and even loss of teeth.
Caries disease. Caries is a chronic, progressive change in the hard tissue of the tooth in response to bacteria. The intake of sugary foods provides nutrients for cariogenic bacteria, and the elderly are prone to tooth decay due to reduced saliva secretion and irregular dentition.
Pulpitis. Pulpitis is an inflammatory lesion that occurs in the pulp of the tooth, often due to the fact that the caries is not timely**, and the bacteria further spread and invade the pulp. If it is not timely**, it is easy to cause apical periodontitis.
Excessive abrasion. Poor occlusion and chewing habits (including unilateral chewing, liking nuts, brittle bones, etc.) can aggravate uneven wear on the tooth surface. Excessive abrasion can lead to tooth surface sensitivity, pulpitis, apical periodontitis, and may form a high and steep cusp slope, which is prone to tooth cracking and root cracking.
Dentition defects and deletions.
Partial tooth loss is called dentition defect, and loss of all teeth in the mouth is called dentition loss. It is important to restore a missing tooth in a timely manner, not only to restore chewing function, but also to prevent the tilting and displacement of adjacent teeth, thereby maintaining the stability of the dentition. When the dentition is missing or missing, we can use removable denture restoration, fixed denture restoration or implant restoration.
Wedge defects. Older people tend to brush their teeth in a "horizontal brush" way. Over time, a deep "groove" forms in the neck of the tooth, causing soreness when brushing or eating, known as a wedge-shaped defect. After the appearance of wedge defects, it is necessary to be prompt**, and severe defects can form pulpitis or apical periodontitis, and even tooth breakage.
Prevention and treatment of dental diseases.
Maintain oral hygiene.
Brush your teeth 2 to 3 times a day for at least 3 minutes each time. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months, and replace it in time when the bristles are deformed.
Food debris and plaque between teeth can be removed by flossing.
Regular oral check-ups.
Dental examinations are carried out every 3 to 6 months to detect all kinds of oral problems in time and avoid small problems from developing into major problems.
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