Senior citizens are more susceptible to germs and other diseases for several reasons. Their immune systems are often weakened, just because of their advanced age. They may also have other health issues which also complicates matters of the mouth. Any prescriptions taken for the other conditions might also affect their gum health if not watched closely. Even though all of that sounds like gloom and doom, treating gingivitis in seniors is just about as easy as it is in kids or adults.
Symptoms
The symptoms of gingivitis in seniors are the same as they are for children and younger adults. There may be redness and swelling of the gums, bleeding when brushing and flossing, painful chewing, loose teeth or even brown spots developing on the gums. The severity of the symptoms depends on how long the senior has been suffering from the gum disease.
Care for Gingivitis
Caring for your teeth while treating gingivitis is of utmost importance. Caring for gingivitis in a senior citizen might require some extra care. First off, make sure they aren’t taking a medication that is causing the gum sensitivity. The sensitivity could cause redness or even swelling if it is a bad reaction to medicine. Check with a pharmacist to see what symptoms might be from the medicine and what might actually be from gingivitis.
To diagnose and care for the gingivitis, see a dentist. The dentist can do an exam and make sure there aren’t any other health matters going on that are causing the gums to be red, sore or bleeding. The dentist will probably ask a bunch of questions related to the dental hygiene and medical history of the senior. Once they have that information they will offer advice on how to treat the gingivitis. They can also begin the treatment right there if it is needed.
Reversing Gingivitis
Once the gingivitis is diagnosed, treatment can begin. The treatment may be as simple as adding more vitamin C to the diet so the gum tissue is stronger. The treatment might also mean more brushing and flossing of both regular teeth and any artificial ones if they are present.
Keeping gingivitis at bay can also include using OraMD, a special toothpaste meant to improve the gum’s health. OraMD is a specialized toothpaste that is to be used on the teeth after every meal. OraMD is also made in to a mouthwash for those times between meals when bacteria might be developing in the mouth.