As people age, health care becomes increasingly important due to the emergence of chronic diseases and the fragility that comes with aging. On Grandparents' Day, celebrated on July 26, Dentist, Master in Implantology, Specialist in Periodontology, and Clinical Director of IOS – Instituto Odontológico, Dr. Marlei Bonella, warns that oral health care should be doubled and is sometimes neglected.
According to the Dentist, it is common to see elderly patients in clinics with dental problems that could have been resolved with periodic check-ups. "When elderly patients arrive here, most cases are for implants, people who are already toothless, who have lost the joy of social interaction and even the will to eat, due to neglect in seeking dental treatment earlier," says the doctor.
With aging, various conditions may arise such as decreased saliva (xerostomia), root caries, misfit dentures, periodontal disease, tooth loss, among others. "And this requires care; our warning is that an infection in the mouth can spread to the body, and in the case of the elderly, it can cause diseases like pneumonia, for example, so care is needed to avoid complications," says Marlei.
In addition to infections, Marlei notes that when an elderly person has difficulty chewing, it is common to experience loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, as well as irritation, discouragement, isolation, and insomnia, which worsen overall health.
"Periodic dental check-ups are essential and need to become a habit to preserve the health of the body," emphasizes Marlei.
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