How To Care For Your Teeth As You Age
The reality of good dental care and life’s progress is that once you get rid of your baby teeth you don’t get any more second chances. Today, three-quarters of people over 65 retain at least some of their natural teeth, but older people still suffer higher rates of gum disease, dental decay, oral cancer, mouth infections, and tooth loss.
At the Janz Family Dental in Edmonton, we want you to enjoy your natural teeth for as long as possible and in as healthy condition as possible so you can continue to enjoy the quality of life you’ve earned. With that in mind, here are a few tips to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth clean and healthy:
- Floss first – removing caught particles will mean your brush does a better job.
- Brush your mouth – inside your entire mouth including your tongue to remove bacteria growing in your mouth not just on your teeth.
- Slow down – brushing your teeth, mouth and tongue for at least two minutes – try brushing to your favourite song start to finish.
- Pause – for 30 minutes after drinking or eating citrus fruits before brushing your teeth. Citric acid weakens enamel and brushing in this weakened state can cause damage.
- Vitamin C – Citrus fruits or taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day it will help destroy the types of bacteria that cause gingivitis (gum disease).
- Eat raw veggies – the crunch will help stimulate gums and scrape off plaque from your teeth.
- Regular Dental visits – check-up at least twice per year to look for changes in your oral health and to keep your smile healthy.
According to information from the Harvard Medical School:
- A prime target of cavities in older adults is around the neck of the tooth, adjacent to the gum line. Gum tissue naturally recedes with age, so the soft root tissue becomes exposed.
- Adults who grew up before the advent of fluoride products and dental sealants often have fillings from childhood and adolescence that eventually break down.
- Another key concern for older adults is a dry mouth or xerostomia, hundreds of medications list it as a side effect. This lack of saliva makes eating and swallowing difficult, causes bad breath, and leads to irritation and infection of oral tissues.
- Finally, there is evidence of an association between gum inflammation and conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory problems, all of which are more prevalent in later life.
At Janz Family Dental, we offer complete dental services for the entire family in a warm and friendly environment. Keeping your mouth healthy in old age requires diligent do-it-yourself care: brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least twice a day. Regular dental appointments are also important. If you have questions about our 24-hour emergency dental services in Edmonton, or about any of our professional dental services, call the Janz Family Dental at 780-484-8573 today to schedule your whole family a check-ups and cleaning appointment.
