Oral Bacteria in Aging Populations

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.

 

Frenectomies

Are you bothered by misalignment or sensitivity in your upper front teeth? Your dentist may have told you that you have a problem with your frenulum. If so, there’s an easy solution. At the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we provide frenectomies, working in concert with a patient’s regular dentist and orthodontist. This simple procedure allows people to more easily pursue other oral treatments and maintain their hygiene, leading to stronger, healthier teeth.

The labial frenulum is the strip of connective tissue that attaches the inside of the upper lip to the gum tissue of the upper jaw. There are a few ways in which an unusually shaped one can cause problems. One is that if it is too thick and low, it may force the front teeth apart. This would result in a diastema or “gap teeth,” which may cause a person to whistle while they speak and force other teeth in the upper jaw out of place. Another problem is that if the frenulum connects too tightly, it may pull the gum tissue upwards, causing it to recede from around the roots of the upper incisors. The frenum may also frequently get injured while the patient brushes their teeth.

 When we determine that a frenectomy is necessary, we will work with the rest of a patient’s oral care team to plan when to perform it. In orthodontic cases, this might be after or near the end of treatment, when the gap has proven itself resistant to correction.  The patient will usually receive localized anesthesia during the procedure, and we will take care to minimize scarring, allowing them to achieve a comfortable, functional, and beautiful smile.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA.