6 Tips for Oral and Dental Care in Your Senior Years

Dental care is important regardless of age. However, older adults are more prone to oral health problems like gum diseases, tooth decays, cavities, and tooth loss. According to research, 96% of adults over the age of 65 have had a cavity. Also, one in five seniors has lost all of his/her teeth. The data proves why maintaining oral hygiene becomes more important if you are 60 or above. Before we dig deeper into oral care tips for the elderly, let us check out the most common dental problems that they face:

1. Tooth Decay and Loss: The excessive wear and tear your teeth have experienced over the years can lead to decay and tooth loss in the senior years of your life. Moreover, as the immune system weakens, you become more vulnerable to gum diseases and oral thrush.
2. Root Decay: With ageing, the problem of receding gums also becomes common. This problem can be solved only through regular visits to the dentist whom you trust for your family dental treatments.
3. Bad Breath: Gum diseases, dry mouth, and dirty dentures can also cause the problem of bad breath in the elderly.
4. Darkened Teeth: As you age, the dentin in the tooth changes. As a result, the color of the tooth may change too.

Poor dental hygiene can affect more than teeth and gums. It can have serious implications on your overall health and wellbeing. Here are a few tips on how to maintain dental health in the golden years of your life: 1) Brush Gently and Regularly Teeth and gums are more prone to wear and tear as you age. Additionally, plaque builds more quickly and it is tougher to get rid of it. As you hit the senior years, you have to make a few changes to your brushing habits:

• Switch to Electric Brush - An electric brush not only does a better job of cleaning the teeth but it also has an inbuilt timer that beeps when you have brushed your teeth for the right amount of time. People with arthritis and joint pain may also find this brush easier to hold.
• Use Soft Bristled Brush - Regardless of whether you use an electric brush or a regular brush, make sure that it has soft bristles. Moreover, make gentle movements when brushing your teeth.
• Floss after Every Meal - With aging the problem of plaque building becomes common. Flossing after every meal will ensure that plaque does not become a cause of worry. For a gentler approach to flossing, switch to handheld floss. It makes movement easier around every tooth without damaging gums.

2) Clean Your Dentures Dental implants and fixed dentures are increasingly replacing removable dentures. However, if you are still wearing removable dentures, it is important that you clean them consistently. If not, bacteria or debris on the dentures will interact with your gums and increase the chances of gum diseases. Gum diseases can, in turn, cause periodontal diseases and other health issues like diabetes and heart diseases. Dentures should be cleaned every day with a product recommended by the dentist. Also, it is important that you keep the dentures out of your mouth for at least four hours in a day. 3) Stay Hydrated to Avoid Dry Mouth It is common for older people to feel frequent urges to urinate. As a result, they tend to drink less water to avoid the need to go to the toilet more often. However, the inability to stay hydrated can have serious implications on health, particularly on dental health. Dehydration can cause plaque buildup and lead to tooth decay and gum diseases. Drink lots of water. Water will rinse away acids in the mouth. It is also a natural solution for dry mouth. Doctors recommend drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water every day. Not only should you increase water intake but also avoid everything that causes dry mouth. Consult your doctor if you feel certain medicines are causing dry mouth and ask for alternative medications. Surprisingly, more than 400 commonly used medicines cause dry mouth. 4) Avoid Foods That Are Bad for Oral Health High exposure to sugar, soda and citrus fruits and juices are bad for dental health. These foods can increase acidity in the mouth, destroy the enamel, create cavities and cause tooth loss. It is recommended to consume these foods in moderation. 5) Get Rid of Bad Lifestyle Habits According to the American Cancer Society, around 35,000 cases of mouth, throat, and tongue cancers are diagnosed every year. The average age of patients diagnosed with these cancers is 62. Consuming tobacco in any form increases the risk of mouth and throat cancer. It can also lead to tooth decay and gum diseases. Talk to a doctor for recommendations on healthy quitting habits. 6) Visit Your Dentist Regularly When was the last time you visited a dentist? Regular visits to the dentist ensure early identification of common dental issues that come with age. By removing plaque and tartar buildup the dentist can ensure healthy teeth and gums and overall dental health. If you live in Georgia, consult your family dentist in Marietta in every three-four months. Conclusion It is never too late to understand the importance of dental hygiene and take necessary steps to improve dental health. If it has been a while since you last visited a dentist or flossed your teeth, now is the time to start. With proper care, you can maintain and improve oral health as you age.