A natural consequence of aging, the older we get the more problems we tend to have maintaining the health of our bodies. For seniors, one of the biggest areas of concern is their oral health. Even though enamel, the hard coating that surrounds your teeth, ranks as the hardest substance in the body, a lifetime of wear can cause even something as resilient as your teeth to eventually breakdown.
Approximately 25 percent of all seniors over the age of 65 have lost all of their teeth, according to statistics compiled by the American Dental Association.
Here are some tips to help you maintain great oral health as you age.
Adopt the right oral techniques
Are there flossing aids available to make the process a little easier? Can handles of tooth brushes and floss aides be adapted for people with arthritis that make them easier to hold? The answer to all of these is yes.
Additionally, many different mouth rinses and toothpastes are available to stop decay and kill the bacteria that can cause gum disease and bad breath. There are also products that are specifically formulated for dry mouth and painful ulcers. Schedule time to get your FREE consultation with our professional dental team at Advanced Dental Center, PC about these brushing and flossing techniques, as well as preventative products that might be right for you.
Make sure you’re producing enough saliva
Many medications and illnesses can limit saliva production, but saliva actually has magical properties that protect us from disorders, like severe and rapid tooth decay, yeast infections, and gum disease.
More than 400 of the most commonly prescribed drugs for older adults promote dry mouth and taste disturbances. If you are currently taking any medications, and have noticed these symptoms, talk with your doctor to see if there are other medication options you could try.
Stay away from acid-producing foods
Your odds of having dental disease isn’t just how well you brush, or the medications you take, but it’s also what you eat and how often you indulge. Germs love to feed on sticky sugary foods, which produce acid that promotes tooth and gum decay—and that means cavities. For every exposure to sugar, bacteria produce acids that burn your teeth and gums for twenty minutes.
Remember that oral problems are not inevitable as we age. These are some easy ways you can take charge of your oral health to age well. But it’s still important to see professional dental team for routine checkups and cleanings.
Regular dental checkup is strongly advocated in the light of current knowledge.
You can always check your dental health and potential risks getting your FREE consultation with one of our dentists at Advanced Dental Center, PC.
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