With age comes wisdom, but it also comes with concerns about maintaining your dental health. While routine dental visits play a large parge in this, good hygiene can keep teeth in working order for years to come. Read on for some tips on keeping your teeth healthy for when you smile at old friends and grandchildren.
Dental Health Concerns Associated with Age
Decades of wear will inevitably take their toll on your teeth. Some common issues include:
Reduced Enamel
The enamel layer of teeth wears away with age. As it recedes, the dentin underneath shows through. This can cause the teeth to appear yellow or dark. Because they no longer have their strong protective layer, the teeth can also become more sensitive to temperature.
Tooth Decay, Gum Disease, and Dry Mouth
While tooth decay and gum disease can strike at any age without proper care, they are become more likely as you age. Weaker enamel leaves teeth at greater risk for cavities. Gum disease happens when the gums become inflamed. This can cause the recession of gum tissue, exposing more of the teeth’s roots to decay. Advanced gum disease can lead to bone damage, tooth loss, and secondary infections.
While age doesn’t necessarily cause dry mouth, chronic conditions or medications can decrease saliva production. Saliva protects teeth by keeping them lubricated and cleaning them of food particles and bacteria. These food particles feed bacteria, which multiply and produce acid. This acid wears away enamel and inflames the gums, worsening problems with tooth decay and gum disease.
Keeping Senior Teeth Healthy
Keeping your teeth healthy after sixty starts with good hygiene habits. You should at least brush for about two minutes twice and floss once daily, but you might want to brush between meals. Most dentists recommend a brush with soft bristles or an electric toothbrush for seniors, but you should consult with your dental care provider. In any case, change out your brush for a new one at least every three months. Dentists recommend gargling mouthwash after brushing and flossing.
Many people do not consume enough calcium in their old age. Calcium is a key mineral for strong teeth and a crucial component of oral health. Taking calcium supplements can help keep teeth and bones strong during your later years.
Staying hydrated is an essential part of oral health because it helps wash the mouth of food particles and bacteria. Swapping sugary beverages for water is a great way to protect your teeth because it encourages the flow of saliva. Tobacco products, whether smoked or chewed, can cause serious dental health problems including decay and oral cancers.
Twice-yearly dental visits are essential for the oral health of seniors. With your provider’s help, you can correct or even prevent problems before they have a chance to wreak havoc.
Teeth are every bit as important in old age as they are in youth. An aging body needs nutrients, and healthy teeth allow for the eating of a wide variety of foods for a properly balanced diet. They are also important in smiling and speaking so you can bequeath your wisdom to the next generation.
About the Author
Dr. Nelson Y. Howard earned his dental doctorate at the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1986 before completing a General Practice Residency in West Los Angeles at the V.A. Medical Center. His practice provides services including preventative, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry, TMJ and sleep apnea therapy, and dental implants. For more information on taking care of your teeth in your senior years, contact him online or dial (858) 451-0550.