DENTAL HEALTH  
 

Like grey hair and wrinkles, losing your teeth and getting dentures have long seemed an unavoidable part of growing older. But today, ageing does not automatically mean that you will need dentures. Thanks to fluoride and preventive dental care, more and more older adults still have their natural teeth. In fact, those who do are rapidly beginning to outnumber denture-wearers. About 30 percent of adults over age 65 currently need dentures because they have lost all their teeth, but this is expected to drop to about 10 percent over the next few decades. Unfortunately, ageing can bring changes that may make your teeth more vulnerable to cavities and other problems. The good news is that with proper care, your teeth can last a lifetime.

 
  CARIES AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE: INCREASING RISK WITH AGE  
 

Nearly everyone has some cavities or periodontal disease. But if you are an older adult, there are many reasons why your teeth and gums are at higher risk for these conditions. One reason is that as you age, your gums may gradually recede from your teeth. When this happens, the roots of your teeth become exposed.

 
 

The roots of your teeth are coated with a material called cementum and are not protected by the tough layer of enamel that covers the upper tooth. This makes the roots weaker than the parts of your teeth above the gum line. It also makes them more vulnerable to plaque's cavity-causing acids.

 
  Structure of a Tooth:  
 
   
 
  SALIVA AND THE ROLE OF MEDICATIONS  
 

Another reason older adults are at higher risk for cavities and periodontal disease is that many medications they commonly take can decrease the amount of saliva in your mouth. This condition is called dry mouth, or xerostomia.

 
  Saliva plays an important role in protecting your teeth. It washes food away, neutralises plaque acids and helps keep tooth enamel strong. If you don't have enough saliva, cavities and periodontal disease may occur more frequently and progress faster.
 
 

Hundreds of medications, including high blood pressure drugs, diuretics, antidepressants, antihistamines and anti-reflux drugs, can cause dry mouth.
If you are taking one of these types of drugs, it is a good idea to talk to your physician or dentist about steps you can take to protect the health of your teeth and gums.