I often hear a saying: "Good teeth, good appetite, good food, good body." "The oral health of the elderly is of great significance for longevity.
The Fourth National Epidemiological Survey of Oral Health showed that among 65-74 year olds, the proportion of people with no teeth was completely edentulous5%, and the periodontal health rate is only 93%, the caries rate of permanent teeth is as high as 98%, and the number of elderly people who have not had missing teeth repair** is 368%。Oral diseases in the elderly are more closely related to systemic diseases, which seriously affect the physical health and quality of life of the elderly. So what are the particularities of oral care for the elderly? What should be paid attention to? The daily care of the oral cavity of the elderly, the following things must be done seriously.
Brush your teeth in the morning and evening, using interdental cleaning tools
As we age, oral health problems in older adults become more and more prominent. Tooth loss, periodontal disease, and bad breath are all major problems in the oral health of the elderly. However, many older adults can maintain their oral health by consistently brushing their teeth in the morning and evening and by using interdental cleaning tools. Brushing your teeth in the morning and evening is an important step in keeping your mouth clean. Older people should choose a soft-bristled toothbrush because it is less irritating to the teeth and gums. At the same time, older people should use fluoride toothpaste, which can effectively prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. The brushing time should be controlled to 2 to 3 minutes, and each surface should be brushed without omission.
However, brushing your teeth in the morning and evening alone does not completely clean your mouth. Due to misaligned teeth, periodontal disease, etc., food debris and bacteria are easily left in the interdental space. Therefore, the elderly need to use interdental cleaning tools to clean the interdental spaces. Interdental cleaning tools include dental floss, interdental brushes, etc., which can effectively remove food debris and bacteria from the interdental space, preventing periodontal disease and bad breath. When using interdental cleaning tools, the elderly should be aware of the following.
First of all, you should choose a cleaning tool that is suitable for your teeth before use, such as dental floss or interdental brush. Secondly, it should be gently inserted into the space between the teeth to avoid damaging the gums. Finally, cleaning tools should be cleaned and disinfected in time after use to keep them clean and hygienic. To maintain oral health, older people need to brush their teeth in the morning and evening and use interdental cleaning tools. These daily oral health care measures can effectively prevent oral diseases and odors, and improve the quality of life of the elderly.
Dentures also need to be thoroughly cleaned daily
Older people also have their dentures cleaned daily. As they age, many older people gradually lose their teeth, which affects not only their diet, but also their self-esteem and quality of life. As a result, many seniors will choose to use dentures to restore their oral function. However, the use of dentures does not mean that the maintenance of oral hygiene can be neglected. In fact, older people need to have their dentures cleaned every day.
Dentures are an artificial tooth that requires the same attention and care as natural teeth. Just like natural teeth, dentures can accumulate food debris and bacteria, which can lead to oral health problems such as bad breath, gingivitis, periodontal disease, etc., if not cleaned in time. Therefore, it is very important for the elderly to clean their dentures every day.
The method of cleaning dentures is simple. First, remove the dentures and gently scrub them with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Be careful not to use a stiff brush or overexert force to avoid damaging the dentures. Alternatively, denture tablets or denture cleaners can be used for cleaning. These products can help remove bacteria and stains from dentures, making them cleaner and more hygienic.
In addition to cleaning dentures, older adults also need to pay attention to oral hygiene. Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings to ensure your oral health. In addition, older adults should also maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, controlling their diet, and increasing exercise, which can help maintain oral health. It is very important for the elderly to clean their dentures every day. This not only maintains oral hygiene, but also prolongs the life of dentures and improves the quality of life for the elderly.
Topical fluoride, reasonable diet, prevention of root caries
Topical fluoride is an effective way to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride ions enhance the acid resistance of the tooth surface, making it less susceptible to bacterial attack. Under the guidance of a dentist, the elderly can use fluoride toothpaste or fluoride mouthwash and regularly apply topical fluoride to enhance the resistance of their teeth to caries.
In addition to topical fluoride, a reasonable diet is also an important factor in maintaining oral health. Older people should maintain a balanced diet and eat more foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, vitamins and other nutrients, such as milk, tofu, green leafy vegetables, etc. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid eating too much sugar and high-sugar foods to reduce the increase in oral acidity and reduce the chance of bacterial growth.
Prevention of root caries is another key to maintaining oral health in older adults. As we age, the gums gradually recede, leaving the root surface exposed and susceptible to bacterial attack. In order to prevent the occurrence of root caries, the elderly should have regular oral examinations to detect and deal with root problems in time. In addition, the elderly can also choose to use oral care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash that have an anti-root caries effect.
Pay attention to bleeding gums and loose teeth
Bleeding gums and loose teeth are common problems that many older people experience. Therefore, it is very necessary for the elderly to pay attention to bleeding gums and loose teeth. Bleeding gums are usually caused by gingivitis or periodontitis. These oral diseases are associated with long-term poor oral hygiene, tartar deposition, and plaque growth. Older people are more likely to suffer from these diseases due to weakened immunity and weakened oral self-healing ability. Bleeding gums not only affect the daily life of the elderly, such as eating, communicating, etc., but may also indicate more serious oral problems.
Loose teeth are often associated with periodontitis. Periodontitis is a devastating disease that affects the health of periodontal tissues, leading to loose and lost teeth. In addition, osteoporosis is also an important cause of loose teeth in the elderly. Loose teeth not only affect the oral health of the elderly, but can also have a negative impact on their self-confidence and quality of life.
To prevent bleeding gums and loose teeth, older adults should practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and use auxiliary cleaning tools such as flossing and mouthwash. Have regular dental check-ups and teeth cleaning to remove tartar and plaque in a timely manner. In addition, older adults should also increase their intake of calcium and vitamin D and maintain an appropriate amount of exercise to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Remove the tooth that cannot be retained and repair the missing tooth in time
For those teeth that cannot be preserved, the elderly should have them removed in time. Tooth extraction is a common oral method, which can eliminate problems such as tooth pain, infection, and inflammation. If the elderly retain their teeth, they will not only continue to suffer pain and discomfort, but may also cause other oral problems, such as periodontitis, oral infections, etc. After tooth extraction, the elderly should repair the missing tooth in time. There are many ways to restore missing teeth, such as dental implants, porcelain teeth, removable dentures, etc. The elderly can choose the restoration method that suits them according to their oral conditions and economic conditions. Restoring missing teeth not only restores chewing function in older adults, but also improves their oral health.
When the elderly carry out oral **, they should choose a regular dental hospital and a professional dentist. Regular dental hospitals have advanced medical equipment and technology, which can provide high-quality dental services for the elderly. Professional dentists can formulate personalized plans according to the specific conditions of the elderly to ensure their effectiveness and safety.
Pay attention to changes in the oral mucosa to prevent the development of oral cancer
Older people should pay special attention to changes in the oral mucosa to prevent the development of oral cancer. The oral mucosa is the film that covers the surface of the oral cavity and plays a vital role in maintaining oral health. However, as we age, the oral mucosa gradually thins and shrinks, resulting in a decrease in the self-cleaning ability of the oral cavity and the growth of bacteria and viruses. The multiplication and metabolites of these microorganisms can irritate the oral mucosa, causing inflammation, ulcers and other lesions, increasing the risk of oral cancer.
Therefore, the elderly should have regular oral examinations in order to detect abnormal changes in the oral mucosa in time. When symptoms such as white, red or black plaques, ulcers, and pain appear on the oral mucosa, you should seek medical attention in time. According to the specific situation of the patient, the doctor will take corresponding diagnosis and ** measures to prevent the occurrence of oral cancer.
In addition, the elderly should also maintain good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing their teeth and rinsing their mouths every day. At the same time, harmful habits such as smoking and drinking should be avoided to reduce irritation and damage to the oral mucosa. Reasonable diet is also one of the important measures to maintain oral health, the elderly should eat more foods rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber to enhance the body's immunity and improve the resistance of the oral mucosa.
Get an annual oral health check-up and clean your teeth at least once
Due to the aging of teeth and changes in the oral environment, the elderly are prone to problems such as loose teeth, gingivitis, and periodontitis. In order to maintain the oral health of the elderly, it is very necessary to have regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
Annual oral health check-ups can help older adults detect oral problems such as tooth decay, periodontitis, etc. These problems are relatively easy to detect at an early stage, and they are more effective. Through regular check-ups, the elderly can keep abreast of their oral condition, listen to the doctor's advice, and take corresponding preventive measures.
Teeth cleaning is an effective method of oral health care. By cleaning your teeth regularly, you can remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and prevent periodontal disease. During the cleaning process, the doctor will also perform a comprehensive examination of the elderly's teeth to identify and deal with potential problems. Elderly people can choose the frequency of teeth cleaning that suits them according to their own situation. Generally speaking, it is appropriate to have 1 or 2 teeth cleanings per year. For some older people with more severe oral problems, more frequent cleanings may be required.
The elderly should pay attention to oral health and have an annual oral health check-up, through these measures, they can effectively prevent the occurrence of oral problems, maintain oral health, and improve the quality of life of the elderly. At the same time, children and society should also pay attention to the oral health of the elderly and provide necessary support and assistance.
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