Are There Any Links Between Periodontal Disease And Age? | Dr. Alex Midtown NYC Cosmetic Dentist

Are There Any Links Between Periodontal Disease And Age?

Periodontal disease is, without a doubt, one of the most prevalent oral diseases in the world. One of the overarching questions people ask is whether there is a direct correlation between this disease and age. Over the years, research has sort to provide an answer to this question. According to data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, over 70% of people over the age of 65 have periodontitis.

This data suggests that your risk of developing periodontal disease increases as you age, and this is mainly because of the periodontal changes that occur as a result of the alterations of the immune-inflammatory status of the periodic tissue.

How Tissues and Cells of the Periodontium Change with Age

With progressing age, various components of the periodontium undergo physiological aging. For instance, the gingival connective tissue becomes denser and coarse, thus becoming elastic and less resilient to injury. The periodontal ligament becomes smaller, and this impedes its healing capability. In addition, the cementum continues to increase in size, which eventually causes teeth to wear. This is explains why older individuals seek oral surgery and other related services more than their younger counterparts.

What are Some Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease?

Now that you are growing older every day, you need to be aware of some of the warning signs of periodontal disease. They include:

  • Swollen or red gums
  • Loose of teeth
  • Gums detaching from your teeth
  • Painful chewing
  • Bad taste that won’t go away
  • Bleeding or tender gums
  • Changes in the way your teeth fit when you eat
  • Sensitive teeth

Whenever you notice any of the signs mentioned above, seek help from a professional as soon as possible!

What Other Factors Increase the Risk of Periodontal Disease?

Apart from age, there are other factors that could increase your risk of periodontal disease. They include:

  • Stress
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Stress
  • Heredity
  • Crooked teeth
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Underlying immuno-deficiencies
  • Medications that cause dry mouth
  • Defective fillings

Preventing and Treating Periodontal Disease

Even though the periodontal immune responses dwindle with age, there are various ways in which periodontal disease can be prevented and treated. Regular professional cleaning and good oral hygiene are some of the obvious ways to control this disease. Nonetheless, if you develop severe forms of the disease, it can be treated by a dentist, although they demand extensive treatment procedures such as deep cleaning and corrective surgery.

To help prevent this disease, make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss them at least once every day. Doing this eliminates bacteria which causes gum disease. Also, change your toothbrush regularly and only use dentist recommended toothpastes.

Finally, consider visiting a dentist at least once every six months. In case you notice any warning signs mentioned above or you need a dental emergency procedure, you can visit a dentist earlier. With a good dentist like Dr. Alex Rubinov rest assured your oral health problems are as good as solved, and periodontal disease will no longer prevent you from living a comfortable life. For inquiries or to schedule an appointment, call us today at (718) 253-0800.

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