Getting older can mean your body will change, and so can your teeth. But that does not mean you do not deserve a healthy and bright smile. Your physical well-being links with the look and feel of your smile. And with help from your dentist, you can maintain a youthful, gorgeous smile no matter your age.
Senior-aged dental patients may require more dental attention and oral hygiene to prevent annoying oral health problems that can develop for age-related reasons. Your dentist can evaluate your teeth at your regular dental check-up and provide the right treatment to preserve your smile. Read on to learn details about how you can keep your smile beautiful and healthy while you age.
Managing Changing Health and Your Smile
You may notice changes in your body as you age, including fluctuations in your hormones. Hormones may affect certain processes within your body, such as saliva production. With less saliva in your mouth, you may notice an irritating condition called dry mouth.
Dry mouth can also be a side effect of certain medications. But this tacky, dry feeling in your mouth is manageable with help from your dentist. Talk to your dentist about changes in your oral health, including dry mouth symptoms, so that you can find relief from oral discomfort.
Some chronic health conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, can influence oral health in a similar way. When you manage these diseases with your doctor, you can reduce the chance of developing dental concerns like gum disease and tooth decay. Then you can better keep your smile strong and stunning.
Dental health will affect your overall health in relation to these medical conditions as well. If you contract an oral infection, you may face a greater risk of a heart attack, stroke, or other emergency. Making an effort to maintain good oral health can offer strong protection against these concerns.
Dental Care for Senior Patients
If you adhere to a good oral hygiene routine at home and at your dentist’s office, you can fight aesthetic and structural dental problems that can stem from aging. This means that you should brush your teeth at least twice each day, in the morning and evening. Consider using a toothpaste that contains fluoride to strengthen your teeth.
You will also need to floss on a daily basis to clean between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. You might benefit from using floss picks if you have trouble maneuvering traditional string floss.
Proper oral hygiene will include attending professional teeth cleanings regularly. The average dental patient usually requires this thorough cleaning every six months. But senior patients might need to go to the dentist for a cleaning and oral exam three or four times a year.
Your diet can affect your oral health as well. Maintain balanced nutrition and steer clear of sugary and acidic foods and beverages that could contribute to enamel erosion. Your dentist can recommend more personalized preventative dental care and advice when you schedule a check-up today.