The importance of dental care for older adults

Dental care for older adults

With age, teeth become weaker and there is an increased risk of some oral problems. For this reason, dental care for older adults is a priority to maintain good oral health, which is closely related to general health.which is closely related to general health.

As in childhood, as in childhood, teeth in old age have their own unique needs.. The mouth changes as we age, but with proper care and annual check-ups, it is possible to maintain a healthy mouth at all times.

Why is dental care important for older adults?

We use our mouths every day of our lives. To breathe, talk, drink, eat, and do all kinds of activities that can affect the overall health of our bodies.

Teeth and gums, like the rest of the body's tissues, also age.. But the deterioration of the mouth can be slowed down if more attention is paid to their care.

In old age, the probabilities of the appearance of different diseases such as periodontal disease or caries increase, and are favoured by the side effects on the mouth of the use of dental prostheses or the taking of certain medications. side effects on the mouth of the use of dental prostheses or the taking of certain medications..

Consequences of poor oral hygiene in older adults

What happens in older adults when proper dental hygiene has not been followed, or if it is neglected during this stage? The main consequences are the following:

  • Gum pain causing difficulty in eating.
  • Dry mouth, affecting speech and proper nutrition.
  • Aesthetic problems affecting the self-esteem of the elderly.
  • Negatively influence general health, affecting cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory or gastrointestinal infections.

Tips for oral health care in later life

Sometimes it is inevitable that health problems of an elderly person affect the state of his or her mouth.. The person's immune system can be affected, and there are organs that do not function at 100%, such as the salivary glands.

In older adults, the problem of dry mouth is common, increasing the risk of caries and bacterial or fungal infections. dry mouth, which increases the risk of caries and bacterial or fungal infections. The deterioration of teeth and receding gums can lead to the loss of teeth, with the only alternative being to replace them with fixed or removable prostheses.

For all these reasons, it is very important to take care of oral hygiene on a daily basis. Medical organisations recommend a number of tips for older adults to protect their mouths easily and effectively.

Ensuring good oral hygiene

It is essential to brushing your teeth after every meal. This is especially important before going to bed at night. For brushing, it is recommended to use toothpaste with fluoride and a toothbrush soft that does not damage the enamel and gums.

The use of dental floss and mouthwashes is also recommended. is also recommended. Do not forget to brush the tongue at the end for a thorough cleaning.

Oral hygiene products to ensure complete protection

Due to the increased risk of oral problems in the elderly, it is important to use products that ensure the most complete oral protection. The KIN Toothpaste with Aloe Vera has a special formulation with fluoride for caries prevention, CPC for plaque control, aloe vera and provitamin B5 which provide a toning and fortifying action, as well as protection and care for the gums.

As a complement, the use of Mouthwash KIN with aloe vera provides complete daily protection for teeth and gums.

In addition, the Mouthwash and the PKIN Toothpaste with aloe vera are ideal for the whole family.

Preventing dry mouth

At the first signs of dry mouth, it is important to drink plenty of water. The simple gesture of hydrating properly increases saliva production considerably.

When the xerostomia or dry mouth If it is due to a major health problem or medication, there are products that help to combat it, avoiding the discomfort that dry mouth causes when talking or eating. 

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Maintain a healthy mouth with daily care routines.

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DAILY ORAL CARE

Cleaning and maintenance of dental prostheses

Just as important as taking care of the natural teeth and gums is the maintenance of the denture. There are special brushes and cleaning productswhich remove dirt and grime and prevent abrasion and wear.

The prosthesis should be be cleaned separately by brushing the teeth without it.. It is removed at bedtime to allow the tissues to rest and regenerate during the night.

Sometimes prostheses can erode the mucosa of the gums. If lesions appear, specific gels are available to reduce them.

Visiting the dentist regularly

In addition to dental care at home, older adults should continue to visit their dentist regularly.

A dental check-up by a professional is the best way to detect any health problems early. detect any health problem in time, as well as to receiveas well as to receive advice on the guidelines to follow in the maintenance of oral hygiene.

Other healthy habits for older adults

To further enhance dental care in older adults, there are other habits that can be instilled in daily life:

  • Preventing dry mouth by stimulating salivation by taking sugar-free sweets or eating hard foods.
  • Do not eat sticky foods that may damage the teeth or the prosthesis.
  • Avoid sweet foods as much as possible, especially before going to bed.
  • Limit or stop the use of tobacco and alcohol.
  • Moisturise lips constantly with petroleum jelly or sunscreen cocoa.
  • Treat any mouth sores or canker sores that appear to prevent the lesion from worsening.
  • Seeing a doctor or dentist to get oral health problems oral health problems as soon as possible..

Dental care for older adults is synonymous with maintaining general health. You should never let your guard down at any time of life in order to enjoy a healthy and beautiful mouth.

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