Don't Let Age Rob You of a Cheerful and Beautiful Smile You Deserve!

Healthy teeth are a very valuable asset to feeling healthy and good about yourself. As we age, we have to take care of our body; our dental health requires daily attention to protect teeth and gums. Teeth are like workhorses; we use them almost 3 times a day, so approximately 1000 times a year, which is more than we use our cars. It is very important that we take care of them. Exercising, eating right, and practicing good daily oral hygiene habits will help maintain a healthy body and smile so you can live a healthy life. 

Oral Health Conditions

Time and age tend to affect the mouth along with the body. Nerves located inside the teeth can narrow and prevent you from a feeling cavity in teeth. Routine checkups will ensure that this is kept under check and treated early so you can keep your teeth healthy without losing them. Visit Future Dental Care for your routine dental checkup now.

Dry Mouth

Some medications can cause dry mouth from a lack of saliva production, as a drug’s side effect. Healthy saliva flow is needed to rinse away bacteria and oral debris while neutralizing harmful acids. A chronic dry mouth condition can lead to cavities and gum disease. It can be overcome drinking ample water while limiting alcohol, sweetened, carbonated, or caffeinated drinks.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is more prevalent as you age if you are not practicing good daily oral hygiene. Gum and bone hold teeth in place. The early stage of gum disease is gingivitis, and you might notice red, swollen, or bleeding gums when you clean your teeth. At this stage, the disease is reversible with daily oral hygiene and professional dental treatment. If you neglect to treat gingivitis, it will only worsen. 

It can lead to the breakdown of the gums and bone material holding the teeth in place. The affected gum tissue can pull back from the teeth, revealing the root surfaces of the tooth. Once the root surfaces of the teeth are exposed because of gum recession, they are now more vulnerable to tooth decay. If enough bone is lost, the tooth will become loose and fall out.

Oral Cancer

Adults over 40 are more susceptible to oral cancer. If you notice patches of red or white on the tongue, gums, inner cheeks, or other oral tissues, you should have an oral cancer check. Oral cancer can often be successfully treated if detected in the early stages.

What You Can Do at Home

– Brush your teeth with an electric or battery-operated toothbrush along with fluoride toothpaste and oral rinse to protect your beautiful teeth (this kind of toothbrush is especially useful if you have a condition such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, which prevents ease of movement).

– Floss between teeth with floss or Waterpik to keep teeth and gums healthy.

– Clean full or partial dentures daily and remove them at night to let the gums rest.

– Give up tobacco products as they can cause dry mouth, gum disease, and tooth decay leading to tooth loss.

– Consume a diet rich in nutrients that support your body, teeth, and gums.

– See your dentist regularly to spot developing problems early when they are least invasively treated.

Taking good care of your oral health as you age can help you keep your smile beautiful and strong for a lifetime! Give our team a call if you have any questions or concerns about your teeth and dental health.