Oral and dental health is one of the most fundamental elements for quality of life. Many negativities such as health problems, pain, ache, bruises, infections, mouth and larynx cancer, that we experience in our mouth area, affect our most basic need, namely our nutrition. It also affects our essential human needs, such as laughing and speaking, and thus our basic life functions.
As we get older, we better understand the value of our health. We realize how health keeps the quality of life high when we spend an unhealthy day. That’s why we should remove the factors that will cause the problem from our lives, not when we have a health problem, but before the problem arises. We should put good habits in our lives that will make us live healthier, and stay away from bad habits. By consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, eating regularly and healthily, being careful about smoking and alcohol, reducing sugar, at least rinsing our mouth after eating sweets, paying attention to our oral hygiene and visiting the dentist once a year, we make a solid investment in our health. As we get older, our body, which we use for years, gives out various signals. In order to read these signals correctly and to age in a healthy way without reducing the quality of life, we must be more careful by taking more care of our body in later ages.
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What should be considered for Oral and Dental Health in Adulthood?
Hygiene – In order to have a bright and healthy smile, oral hygiene should be our routine that we place in our lives. For healthy teeth and gingival, teeth should be brushed regularly every day, floss should be used, and if brushing is not possible on busy days, more intensive care should be applied to the teeth by using mouthwashes after brushing teeth at the first opportunity. It should not be tried to clean between the teeth with materials such as needles, awls, toothpicks. It is best cleaned with dental floss between the teeth, floss should be used to clean between the teeth. When oral hygiene is neglected, gingival diseases occur in addition to tooth decay in adulthood.
Check-ups – Visiting the dentist without waiting for illness, taking into account preventive treatment practices, can prevent future problems in advance.
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What are the Oral and Dental Health Problems that Adults Encounter?
Gingival Diseases – As the age progresses, tooth loss is experienced due to gingival problems. According to the researches, gingival diseases that cause tooth loss are seen in 20% of adults over 35 years old. Especially after the age of 35, the plates on the teeth turn into dental calculus and destroy the structures that support the teeth. The jawbone is also damaged. Teeth begin to shake, if there is irreversible damage, teeth are lost. In the advanced dimensions of this situation, gingival surgeries are performed. However, your routine gingival care, which will be applied in 30 minutes by your dentist, whom you go to for regular check-ups, will prevent the problem at the very beginning and will enable you to use your teeth for a lifetime. All of these are preventable health problems. You can keep your condition under control by paying attention to your dental hygiene, brushing your teeth properly and visiting your dentist once a year.
Necessity of Renewal of Dental Filling – Fillings can last for 8-10 years on average, and rarely up to 20 years. With good care, you can use your fillings for a lifetime. When the fillings are broken, the bacteria settle in the cavities formed in the tooth along with the food residues. They can go to the bottom of the filling and rot the lower layers of the tooth. In this case, root canal treatment may be necessary. If the structure of the tooth has deteriorated, root canal treatment and crown coating can be applied. When the fillings are broken, the part that breaks may seem small to you. But that piece has a great effect on your mouth. In such cases, you can visit your doctor to fill the gaps of the filling and, if necessary, have the filling done.
Lower Jaw Joint Problems – Habits such as chewing problems and grinding teeth cause painful disorders in the lower jaw joint. Over time, the joints that allow the movement of the jaw are damaged and this damage causes pain. These pains can reach a level that can lock the jaw.
Oral Cancer – Oral cancer is more common in middle-aged men and people with low socio-economic income. Oral cancer is seen in 10 of 100,000 patients worldwide. While not common, it is not rare. It is one of the most important health-threatening diseases. Among the important factors that cause oral cancer are smoking and alcohol. A healthy diet and staying away from bad habits will reduce the risk of getting the disease.
Injuries Caused by Trauma – Damage or loss of teeth can occur after severe injuries, falls and, unfortunately, violence experienced in childhood. In adulthood, health problems and losses occur in teeth due to serious accidents, heavy sports, adrenaline activities that threaten health, and fast motor vehicle use. To prevent this, protective apparatus should be used in sports and activities that involve harsh interventions.
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Is Orthodontic Treatment Possible in Adult Age?
With the developing technology, there is no age limit for orthodontic treatment today. There are orthodontic treatment approaches that give very good results in adults as well. Everyone has the right to smile more comfortably.
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What Should Adults Pay Attention To During Orthodontic Treatment?
People who receive orthodontic treatment need to pay more attention to their oral and dental hygiene than normal. If the care of the teeth is neglected while the braces are attached to the teeth, the gingival will appear redder and slightly swollen. With the damage of the gingival, the pressure exerted by the braces on the teeth becomes unhealthy and the braces treatment is prolonged. If brushing of the teeth is neglected during the orthodontic treatment process, after the braces are removed due to the plates formed on the tooth surfaces, the place where the wires are located will be in a different white tone (white spot lesions) and the remaining surfaces of the tooth will be in a different color.
Dental hygiene is very important, but it should be considered more carefully and sensitively during the orthodontic treatment process.In oral and dental health, we have to focus on preventative measures rather than treatment. Routine checks on dental health and oral hygiene should not be neglected from the beginning of life. Health should be a way of life, not a desired condition. Oral and dental health should start from infancy, not after the problem occurs. During pregnancy, the pregnant individual should undergo a dental check-up. The baby to be born should be checked by a dentist regularly from infancy to adolescence. It is also beneficial to go through a doctor’s control during periods where the body differs, such as pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Tooth decay does not occur in a short time, tooth decay takes months.
But when the tooth decays and the pain starts, we go to the doctor. In the world, 30% of individuals over the age of 65 have no natural teeth. Again, 90% of children in the world have dental caries. However, a person who receives regular dental examination can detect caries early and take its precautions. In order to prevent ailments, we should make preventive health a way of life, as an examination before any discomfort occurs. It turns out that as the human body ages, one must invest more in his health. Therefore, taking care of oral and dental health is one of the main factors for quality of life.