Oral hygiene is crucial for the preservation of teeth and the integration of implants. At The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we’ve seen a lot of people safely through the entire tooth replacement process. But as people age, their risk of oral health complications increases, which is why we wanted to provide some information about the connection between oral bacteria and overall health in the aging population.
Older Americans have higher rates of tooth decay than any population except young children. According to some estimates, 64% of them have periodontitis, which is the more advanced form of gum disease. People with periodontitis experience jaw bone deterioration, which makes their teeth likelier to come loose, migrate, or fall out. Their mouths also lose vertical dimension, causing bite problems. But oral bacteria will not necessarily remain confined to the mouth. They may enter the bloodstream through the dental pulp, an abscess in the gingival tissue, or through the lungs, and cause inflammation throughout the body. This would cause other prosthetics and replacement body parts, such as heart valves, to be at higher risk of premature failure. Oral bacteria that migrated to other parts of the body have also been implicated in rheumatism and Alzheimer's Disease.
It is certainly worthwhile for older people to maintain their regular brushing and flossing. They may want to consider electric toothbrushes and enlarged toothbrush grips. People with dry mouth may also want to use sugar-free gum to increase their saliva production and reduce their intake of sugary drinks, such as iced tea, sweetened coffee, and fruit juice.
The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA.
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