Everything an Older Adult Needs To Know About Oral Care

January 09, 2019, Langley Dental Practice

It is absolutely essential that you see the dentist on a regular basis. Of the 48% of Canadians who did not see their dentist within the past year have been shown to have some form of gum disease. The vast majority of senior citizens do not believe that they need to see a dentist as they feel they are quite capable of brushing and flossing your teeth every day. However, regular cleanings that are followed by a dental exam are one of the best ways to prevent gum disease, tooth decay and oral cancer.

Maintaining a balanced diet is an essential part of good oral health. Without having proper nutrition in your life, your teeth become much more susceptible to cavities as well is losing their strength. In addition, the bones that are located within your jaw and face must remain strong to help keep your teeth in place, without a healthy diet is unable to do so. It is much better to snack on fruits and vegetables that will not destroy your tooth enamel. You will also want to keep your sugar consumption to the bare minimum and eat as much lean protein as possible.

Smoking is quite possibly one of the worst things you can do to your mouth and teeth. Chewing tobacco and smoking can cause conditions such as cancer and gum disease. If you do smoke, you should ask your dentist or primary care physician to help by recommending a smoking cessation technique. In addition, if you already have dentures or dental implants, the suction motion that occurs while you inhale can lead to dental implant failure as well as ruining your dentures.

If you wear partial or complete dentures it is absolutely essential that you care for them on a daily basis. It is possible for plaque in order to build up on dentures just as easily as they would with natural teeth, without proper care it is quite easy to find yourself dealing with gum disease. In order to clean your dentures, you'll need to remove them and clean your gums with a soft toothbrush. It is also possible to wrap your finger in a damp cloth and clean the gums in that manner. You'll also want to soak the dentures in a cleaner that has been recommended by your dentist. When you soak your dentures, the plaque and tartar will loosen up and come off when you brush them with a soft toothbrush.

For those of you who have dental implants, they too need to be cared for just as natural teeth. You will want to brush and floss them as usual however take extra care around the implants where they meet the gum.

There are vast majority of senior citizens who struggle with dry mouth due to the medications they take on a daily basis. Medications that are used for cholesterol regulation, high blood pressure, arthritis and asthma may reduce the amount of saliva that is found in your mouth. Dry mouth is a serious condition that can lead to tooth decay and cavities, it is absolutely essential that your dentist knows what medications you are currently taking. Your dentist will be able to recommend a mouthwash or oral spray that will help combat dry mouth. As we age it is essential that our mouth stays lubricated due to the fact that saliva helps to kill bacteria and protects our enamel from fading. In addition, you want to ensure that you drink enough water throughout the day.

The vast majority of older adults will find themselves dealing with the early stages of gum disease because they did not care enough about their teeth according to https://srcarecenter.com. Gum disease starts off relatively painless and will progress. If the condition goes untreated, the gums may pull away from the teeth thereby creating a space known as periodontal pockets. These pockets can attract plaque as well as food particles which may lead to gum inflammation as well as possible ligament and bone issues. As soon as you notice that your gums have become red or swallowing it is definitely time to seek out dental assistants.

When you go in for a dental checkup, you'll be checked for any signs of mouth cancer. The American Cancer Society concluded that the vast majority of those diagnosed with mouth, throat or tongue cancer are typically around the age of 62. Some of the signs of oral cancer can include red or white patches in the mouth as well as open sores. While the symptoms generally are pain-free they do need to be looked at as soon as possible.

While not brushing your teeth can be a serious issue, over Prussian has the ability to cause tooth sensitivity in older adults. In addition, regular wear and tear can cause sensitivity to the teeth as well. It is best to discuss any pain from hot or cold foods and beverages with your dentist as soon as you notice it. The dentist will then be able to recommend the best toothpaste to use for sensitive teeth as well as the possibility of adding veneers to help protect your teeth from further enamel loss. To help fight tooth sensitivity at home, you will only want to brush your teeth twice a day with a soft bristle toothbrush. While a vigorous toothbrush and may seem like it may help to remove more plaque and food it can actually ruin the tooth enamel as well as cause the gums to recede.

Finally, it is essential that seniors are getting enough fluoride in their toothpaste to help keep your teeth strong and healthy. It is best to ask your dentist to recommend a good fluoride rich toothpaste or rents that you may be able to include in your daily oral care routine.

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