In a quiet community medical center, Mr. Li, who is a little older, is nervously waiting for the dentist's judgment. As the years went by, his dental problems worsened, and this time he sought medical help due to a severe toothache. When confronted by the doctor, Mr. Lee admitted that he had been paying insufficient attention to dental care and had already lost several teeth. After conducting an oral examination, Mr. Li was surprised that the doctor not only dealt with his toothache but also reminded him that the number of teeth and the health of his teeth are closely related to the length of a person's life. Actually,Oral health has always been an important sign of good health. Recent studies have shown that there is a link between the number of missing teeth in adults and their longevity. Researchers point out that the number of missing teeth in a person can reflect their overall health to some extent, and even correlate with their lifestyle habits, risk of chronic diseases and life expectancy.
When people get old, is it a natural phenomenon for teeth to fall out?
In society, there is a widespread notion that tooth loss is inevitable as we age. But in fact, this perception does not correspond to the understanding of modern medicine. According to statistics, about one-third of the middle-aged population in China has experienced tooth loss, and among the elderly over 60 years old, the proportion is as high as 80%. Many people may think that it is normal to lose a few teeth as we get older. However, this perception is actually inaccurate. Older people can theoretically maintain at least 20 healthy teeth between the ages of 60 and 80.
In fact,The vast majority of older people have missing or edentulous teeth, which is usually directly related to poor oral hygiene habits. If older people can pay more attention to oral hygiene and keep their teeth healthy, it is entirely possible to keep at least 20 teeth. This shows that the so-called tooth loss caused by aging is not a natural physiological process. In fact, if the effects of oral diseases are not taken into account, human teeth can last longer than the average human lifespan under normal circumstances. Tooth loss is usually due to an attack on the oral cavity rather than simply "aging". Therefore, we can conclude that:Tooth loss is not due to "aging", but to "disease".
How many normal teeth do 60-year-olds have left?
Usually has 32 teeth, evenly distributed in the upper and lower jaws. Tooth loss is a natural process as we age. According to a survey by the World Health Organization,People over the age of 60 have an average of 20 teeth. If you have a similar number of teeth, you can be considered to be within the normal range. Tooth loss is not only related to genetics and natural aging, lifestyle habits are also an important factor. For example, frequent consumption of foods that are harmful to your teeth (such as sweets), improper cleaning of your teeth, or biting hard objects with your teeth can all exacerbate tooth loss. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits is important to slow down tooth loss.
How to properly protect teeth for the elderly? For elderly friends, the following things should be done to protect your teeth:
Avoid hard foods: The outer layer of your teeth is made up of enamel, which is a very hard but fragile substance. Long-term consumption of hard foods such as nuts and betel nuts may cause enamel wear, which in turn will expose the pulp nerve, causing tooth hypersensitivity or other serious dental problems. So, especially for the elderlyYou should reduce your intake of these foods and avoid using your teeth to open the cap to prevent tooth damage.
Stick to oral hygiene:Regular brushing and rinsing is an effective way to prevent plaque and tartar from forming. Since the teeth of older people are prone to food debris, brushing and rinsing have become especially important. However, brushing does not completely clean all parts of the teeth, especially the sides and backs of the teeth. Therefore, in addition to daily brushing and gargling,It is recommended that the elderly have a professional scaling 2 to 3 times a year to thoroughly remove plaque and calculus and protect the enamel from erosion.
Importance of dental restoration: Tooth loss not only affects chewing function, but can also lead to loosening and loss of adjacent teeth. Therefore,Once the tooth is lost, it should be repaired in a regular medical institution in time. At the same time,It is crucial to choose a qualified medical institution and a medical professional to perform ** to avoid periodontal disease and other related complications caused by improperly**.
Dental health is an aspect that cannot be ignored for the elderly. By adopting a proper diet and good oral hygiene, dental problems can be effectively prevented and quality of life can be improved.