Gum Disease Risk in Adults Who Are Older

Based in Denver, Colorado, Visiting Ancillary Services brings full-service dental care to patients in nursing homes across the state's northern front range. Using a gentle touch technique geared toward adults who are older, Visiting Ancillary Services works to treat and prevent tooth and gum disease.

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, more than 17 percent of adults aged 65 and above have some form of gum disease, which is moderate to severe in approximately 10.5 percent of individuals in that population. The risk is highest among people who are extremely elderly, active smokers, and those with lower education levels and incomes, as well as among individuals who are Hispanic or black.

Gum disease develops when the immune system engages to fight bacteria in the mouth, a process that causes the periodontal tissue to become inflamed. The earliest stage of disease is known as gingivitis and is characterized by gums that red along the edges and prone to bleeding during flossing. Patients often experience no pain, however, and this lack of discomfort is typically what allows the disease to progress.

As inflammation worsens and gums begin to pull away from the teeth, exposing the underlying root, the patient may begin to notice an increased sensitivity to changes in temperature and pressure. Eventually, as the bone disintegrates, the teeth may become loose and ultimately fall out.

Because gum disease is so often difficult to notice until it becomes severe, regular dental care is crucial to its prevention, particularly in adults who are older. In between visits, a regular brushing and flossing routine helps to remove the plaque that can lead to the inflammation of gum tissue.