Dental Risks Associated with the Aging Process
As we mature in life, there are new challenges that we face including the breakdown of some of our bodily functions and the side effects of the medications that are prescribed to maintain our health. Dental issues include a reduction in saliva production due to aging and/or from many of the medications that we take. A dry mouth is highly susceptible to decay on the root surfaces of the teeth that may be exposed due to gum recession. A dry mouth itself, is uncomfortable, and the tendency to suck on candies to increase saliva flow actually puts you at greater risk for decay as you feed sugar to the oral bacteria that turn it into acid . Unfortunately, some 'sugarless' candies may be acceptable for sugar-free diets and for diabetic patients, but they might still feed the oral bacteria leading to cavities.
I am printing below an article that I provided for the Hofstra University Gerontology Newsletter a few years ago. It provides more detail on dental issues associated with the aging process. Please feel free to call should you have any questions that I might answer.
