Aging comes with a hefty set of health concerns, and while many of these conditions are thought to be inevitable, there’s no reason for our dental health to decline. The idea that tooth loss is a natural part of aging has some truth but also comes with misconceptions. Proper dental care can help prevent many of these problems from occurring later in life, and getting cosmetic dental care can help retain your dental health for years to come. Keeping tooth loss at bay comes down to science, and your dentist can provide you with many options for improving your dental health through cosmetic dental treatments.
How Aging Oral Health Problems Can Be Prevented
Many studies have revealed that our oral health will decline as we get older. These studies often show the aging process as a result of changing hormones, immune system decline, environmental factors, and cellular oxidative stress, among other causes. When it comes to tooth loss, the body’s inability to maintain nutritional value over time can cause the enamel to weaken and the body’s immune system to become more vulnerable to oral bacteria and decay. Many of these studies don’t point out that even when you’re in your elderly years, the effects of aging on your oral health can be prevented and cared for by your dentists.
One of the largest problems permeating poor oral health is the lack of access to vital resources, especially consistent oral health care. This issue has a detrimental impact on our oral health. When considering the financial, environmental, and biological impact these factors have on the aging process, poor oral health tends to be widespread. These factors include:
- Weakening enamel
- Environmental factors
- Growing health concerns
- Genetic factors
- Economic disadvantage
- Reduced physical ability to perform dental hygiene
- Dilated vessels in the gums impact blood flow
- Reduced access to dental insurance
Without proper care, the above list of concerns often goes untreated or unaddressed. Due to these limitations, many health problems can permeate our oral health and lead to tooth decay, gum recession, dry mouth, and eventual tooth loss.
What Types of Cosmetic Treatments Work For Seniors?
But cosmetic dental treatments can ultimately tackle these issues during their early stages and help prevent oral health problems from worsening. These treatments include:
- Cosmetic Bonding: Cosmetic bonding procedures help cover areas of intrinsic discolorations and chipped teeth with bonding materials. These bonding materials help reshape the tooth back to a healthy state and help protect the enamel from decay.
- Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain veneers provide a protective cover for the front teeth, improving the color and shape of the tooth while also filling in gaps, creating a fuller smile in the process. They’re natural-looking, long-lasting, and protect your teeth from decay.
- Dental Bridges: Dental bridges are for those who have lost at least one tooth and want to fill up the missing space. The bridge is especially useful for those who cannot have dental implants and don’t wish to have extensive, invasive work done to their oral cavity.
- Dental Implants: As one of the most popular options, seniors can take advantage of this treatment by replacing missing teeth and maintaining their jawbone health for a natural-looking smile.
To ensure their smiles last a lifetime, better access to oral health care must be possible for seniors. If you need oral care, make sure to schedule an appointment with your local dentist today to learn more about your options.
