Teeth are vital to all of us. As we age, however, we may have different kinds of oral problems such as tooth loss, periodontal disease, discoloration of teeth, etc.
This page sets out some common oral problems and oral care tips. Moreover, dental professionals have been invited to advise on oral health issues of the “green age” group, including how to keep our teeth healthy and prevent oral problems, so that we can have good and healthy teeth for life.
Common Oral Problems
Discoloration of Teeth
Periodontal Disease
Tooth Loss
Oral Care Tips
Discoloration of Teeth
The underlying dentine of permanent teeth is yellowish in colour. As we get older, the dentine increasingly grows thicker and our teeth become more yellowish.
Periodontal Disease
Those who are older in years are prone to periodontal disease though it is a dental problem not restricted to the aged. Periodontal disease is almost symptomless at the early stage. There may be occasional bleeding when brushing teeth, while gums may appear red and swollen. Since the condition seems not that serious, most people do not pay much attention to it, nor would they seek proper dental treatment. With ageing, periodontal disease can lead to severe consequences. The dental alveolar bone that holds the teeth in place will recede. The teeth will become loose and even fall out.
Tooth Loss
Tooth loss can be due to tooth decay or periodontal disease. When losing teeth is invariably associated with chewing problems and loss of appetite, it poses a hazard to our health. Those
wearing dentures should avoid hard or sticky foods which might crack the dentures or make them hard to clean.
Feature article
MY TEETH AND MY LIFE provided by WONG Tin Chun
Relevant websites/articles:
My Teeth and My Life 