Top 6 Myths About Seniors and Oral Health

Seniors are at a higher risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. This is because as we get older, our saliva production decreases. The good news is that there are many things you can do as a senior to improve oral health, according to Always Best Care Senior Services.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the top 6 myths about seniors and oral health so you know how to take care of your mouth in your golden years.

Myth #1: You’ll Lose All Your Teeth if You Live Long Enough

Teeth are more likely to wear down from tooth grinding and cavities as we get older. But the vast majority of seniors keep their teeth by following good oral hygiene practices and visiting a dentist regularly. Even if your natural teeth are gone, there are always orthodontics and other procedures to restore missing or damaged parts of your mouth. 

That being said, it’s important to create and stick to a dental care plan so you can replace any lost or worn-out teeth before they’re all gone!

Myth #2: Gum Disease Is Just a Part of Growing Older

Gum disease is a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss, bad breath, and other oral health issues. The good news is there are things you can do at home like brushing and flossing at night to avoid gum disease.

Myth #3: If You Lose Teeth in Old Age, There’s Nothing You Can Do

There are many procedures available to replace missing teeth including implants and dentures. And even if you can’t afford these procedures or have a medical condition that prevents you from having them, there are other options like using denture adhesives to help keep your false teeth in place. 

These adhesive strips are applied to the denture and then pressed onto your gums. Over time, they form a bond with both your gum tissue and false teeth so you can enjoy better oral health.

Myth #4: Only Kids Get Cavities

Cavities are a problem for everyone, including seniors. This is because as we get older, our teeth become brittle and the saliva becomes more acidic. The good news is that there’s still time to prevent cavities, all you need to do is brush twice per day with fluoride toothpaste. That will help strengthen your teeth and fight off bacteria in the mouth.

Myth #5: If You Don’t Use Chewing Tobacco, You Don’t Have to Worry About Oral Cancer

There’s a lot of misconceptions about chewing tobacco. Some people think that only people who chew are at risk of getting oral cancer. But they couldn’t be more wrong. The reality is that any person who doesn’t take care of their teeth and gums can get the disease.

Although oral cancer is more common in younger people, there are still many steps you can take to prevent it. And quitting cigarettes and chewables is the first and most important step. You can also talk with your dentist about a routine dental care plan for seniors, brush your teeth twice per day with fluoride toothpaste, and floss before bedtime.

Myth #6: Teeth Get Longer and Thinner as You Age

One of the most common myths about seniors and oral health is that your teeth will grow longer and thinner as you age. This idea comes from a lack of understanding about what happens to our mouths when we get older. A tooth’s length has nothing to do with whether or not it wears out. It is about how much plaque buildup there is on the surface.

However, teeth are more likely to wear down from tooth grinding and cavities as we grow older. And the main reason is that the enamel on our teeth wears away from grinding or cavities which leads to tooth loss. The good news is that there are many things you can do to prevent this, like chewing more slowly, using a straw when drinking liquids, and cutting down on sweets.

Everything considered, it’s not just kids who get cavities or have to worry about gum disease. As we grow older, our mouths change and the risk factors for oral health problems also change. The good news is that we’ve shown you many ways to prevent these issues from happening like brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing before bedtime, and using a straw when drinking liquids.

So, don’t let myths about oral health scare you.