- Older adults are at higher risk of developing oral issues like tooth loss and cavities. In addition, severe gum infections can make life more challenging. The inability to consume food as easily is another potential drawback. Also, losing teeth can affect one’s appearance as there’s no chance of growing themback.
Older adults must take good care of their teeth to avoid developing oral issues. Good oral health allows them to enjoy their food and keep their pearly whites in their best condition.Below are some tips to guide seniors on oral preventive care:
Visit A Dentist Regularly
You can provide the best care for your teeth by visiting a dentistregularly. A dentist should help assess your mouth’s condition and provide treatments. They can also offer advice and tips on how to improve oral health. It also helps to have a regular dental cleaning during your visit. The dentist can clean areas of yourteeth that your toothbrush couldn’t reach.
It’s recommended to visit your dentist every six months. Regular dental visits ensure that your oral conditions are up to date. Dentists from Windham Dental clinics recommend it as well. It’ll only take a few hours of your day to give you a fantasticsmile.
Brush Teeth Regularly
Regular tooth brushing is essential for maintaining good oral health. Everybody needs to brush their teeth at least twice a day. Brushing can assist in removing food particles and plaque from your teeth. As you maintain your teeth clean, it also aids in preventing cavities. Lingering food debris in the mouth can cause cavities or tooth decay.
Ideally, brushing your teeth after each meal can improve your oral health. It ensures that food particles are removed before they cause problems. Meanwhile, brushing your denturesregularly is advised, even if you seldom wear them. Significantly, gingivitis can result from poor dental hygiene.
Floss Daily
Eating steak might satisfy your cravings. But scraps of meat can sometimes get wedged between teeth. Hence, it helps to floss daily to ensure no food debris is stuck in your mouth. Unlike brushing your teeth, you can use dental floss once a day. The ideal time to floss is before bedtime.
Flossing before bedtime ensures that no food scraps are left behind, which can lead to plaque and attract bacteria. Meanwhile, you can use a floss holder to make things simpler if your hands feel stiff. A floss holder can keep your hands sturdy while cleaning your teeth. This tool can make flossing easier and better for seniors.
Use The Right Toothpaste
Seniors tend to have more sensitive teeth. Regular toothpaste may lack specific ingredients or the right amount of fluoride to offer enough protection. Ideally, you can use a higher fluoride toothpaste to ensure you get the best defense for your tooth and gums.
You can also consult your dentist for suitable toothpaste recommendations. Aside from considering your age, your dentist will check if you’ve ever had any oral issues. In most cases, they can suggest at least 1,500ppm fluoride for maximum protection. But this can still differ, depending on your oral condition.
Your dentist might also recommend fluoride mouthwashes with a specific strength. The additional fluoride content helps furtherprotect your teeth against potential oral problems.
Avoid Sweet Foods
Eating sweet and sugary snacks is delightful. However, sugar won’t give your teeth any good. It’s best to limit or completely avoid eating sugary foods, despite how difficult it may be. Too much sugar in your diet can increase your risk of developing cavities and diabetes.
If your sweet cravings are overwhelming, drinking water afterward can help. Doing so can help flush the sugar from your teeth. Significantly, it’s best to avoid sugary foods as getting older makes you more susceptible to ailments. Taking preventive measures can promote your oral as well as your overall health.
Quit Smoking
Smoking can never provide your body with any benefits. Thenumber one avoidable cause of mortality in the United States is smoking. It can cause tooth loss and gum disease, along with respiratory concerns. With those in line, it’s only logical to quit smoking.
It might be challenging to stop smoking, especially if you’vebeen doing it for a long time. Fortunately, many online resources are available to assist you with quitting smoking. You can seek medical advice or join a support group.
You might experience withdrawal as you try to quit. It might be tempting to revert to your previous habits because of adverseside effects. It could be challenging, but it can improve your oralhealth.
Drink More Water
There are countless advantages to drinking water. The amount of water you drink affects your ability to maintain good oral health. Drinking water may aid in eliminating any food particles that may still be in your mouth, preventing tooth decay. Additionally, water is pure and has neither sugar nor acid, making it ideal for your health. Furthermore, according to this highly skilled dentist in Henderson, water helps in neutralizing the pH level in your mouth, lessening the time that your teeth are exposed to harmful acids.
Experts advised drinking at least eight glasses of water daily and doing so after every meal is best for optimum oral health. You should drink water after eating sugary or acidic food. Examples include coffee, wine, juice, cake, and cookies. Sipping a glass of water can help prevent stains on your teeth.
Consume Enough Calcium
Your teeth are exposed bones in your mouth. Like your bones, your teeth require a certain amount of calcium to stay strong. Ask your doctor about your calcium requirements or if you need more supplements.
Your oral health is as significant as your overall well-being. Demonstrating your curiosity can help your doctor determine the necessary steps to care for your teeth. They might suggest calcium supplements that are suitable and safe for you.
Check Side Effects
If you’re taking any specific medications, ask your doctor if theyproduce any side effects—like dry mouth. If your doctorconfirms, you might want to ask about switching to analternative. If you have concerns about your oral health,informing your doctor about your condition is essential. Yourdoctor can help you find a different treatment option or medication.
However, there might be instances wherein you have to deal with the side effects. Ask your doctor if what you’re experiencing is normal. Providing extra care for your mouth is necessary to prevent any oral diseases from developing.
Takeaway
Practicing good oral health is essential, especially for seniors. Since you’re more prone to developing oral issues, extra carecan help maintain your teeth healthily. While some might need to avoid a specific diet, it’ll benefit your overall health in the long run. With a bit of hard work and dedication, you can have good oral health you can be proud of.