Language
Country/Area
No result found
Age and periodontal disease: Why are middle-aged people most susceptible?
Periodontal disease is a common oral disease worldwide, especially among middle-aged people. Periodontal disease, especially chronic periodontitis, increases in impact and incidence with age. This leads us to wonder, why does the risk of periodontal disease increase as we age?
"The incidence of early periodontal destruction increases with age in well-cared for patients."
The initial symptom of periodontal disease is usually gum inflammation, but if not treated in time, it may further deteriorate into chronic periodontitis, leading to bone loss and loose teeth. According to statistics from the American Academy of Periodontology, about 35% of adults will be affected by periodontal disease, and the incidence of periodontal disease is even more alarming among adults aged 50 to 60.
"The course of chronic periodontitis accelerates with age, and early gingival recession and subsequent periodontal pocket formation are listed as the main modes of destruction."
Physiological changes brought about by aging, such as reduced saliva secretion and decreased immune system function, are potential factors that increase the risk of periodontal disease. In addition, the life stress, lack of sleep and poor eating habits faced by many middle-aged people are also trigger points for aggravating periodontal health problems.
In addition to age, other risk factors, such as smoking and poor oral hygiene habits, are also important reasons for the progression of periodontal disease. According to research, smokers' gums tend to be lighter in color and bleed less when probing, making diagnosis more difficult.
“Smoking causes the gums to react less, which explains why you may get erroneous data during a periodontal exam.”
Chronic periodontitis has a long course and is often painless, which also leads to many patients not seeking early treatment. In addition, patients often have a relatively serious condition when symptoms appear, and even require complex surgical treatment.
Therefore, regular periodontal examinations and effective oral hygiene management have become particularly important. Performing a periodontal examination every three months can detect early signs of disease in time so that necessary treatment measures can be taken.
“Early diagnosis of chronic periodontitis is critical because early management of the disease can effectively reduce severe tissue damage.”
Whether it's through professional gum cleaning or other non-surgical treatments, aggressive treatment of periodontal disease can contribute to overall health and improve quality of life. Periodontal disease is closely linked to systemic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, further emphasizing the importance of oral health to overall health.
In this context, how age affects oral health has become an issue that requires urgent attention. For middle-aged people, can they find feasible solutions to improve oral health in their lives?
