Tips To Keep Good Dental Hygiene As You Get Older

As you get old, it becomes more important for you to take proper care of your oral health. One common misconception as you age is that losing your teeth is inevitable. However, this is not true. If you do take proper care of your dental health and visit your dentist regularly, your teeth can last you a lifetime. Your mouth changes as you get old. The nerves in your teeth become smaller, thus making your teeth less sensitive to cavities and other oral issues. If you skip your routine dental exams, this may lead to these oral problems not being treated until it is too late. Therefore, if you want to stay healthy, feel good about yourself and look great throughout your life, you might be surprised at the difference a healthy mouth can make. Below are some simple tips on how to keep good dental hygiene as you get old.

– Brush your Teeth Gently and often

Most people tend to overlook their overall health and wellness as they age since they no longer have to go to work daily or shuffle the kids around all the time. However, in reality, one should do the opposite, especially when it comes to oral health. As one becomes older, the teeth and gums certainly have more wear and tear than the younger years. Therefore, it is important to brush gently and thoroughly and not to over brush.

– Clean your Dentures Daily

Oral routine for those wearing dentures may be a little different from those who don’t, but still, good oral hygiene is still a priority. Always ensure that you follow your dentist’s instructions on how to keep your dentures and the rest of your mouth clean.

– Quit Smoking

Use of tobacco or its products can increase the risk of damaging your teeth and oral tissues by reducing the oxygen amount in your blood and lowering your immune system. Smokers are at high risk of acquiring gum disease, so when combined with the usual aging process, it can be quite a task to maintain proper oral hygiene.

– Stay Hydrated

The issue of having a dry mouth is in no way connected with age. However, with so many regular medications can increase the risk of having a dry mouth. A dry mouth can affect the fitting of dentures and increase risks of infections. Therefore, it is important to keep your mouth hydrated at all times.

– Visit your Dentist Regularly

Visiting your dentist regularly will help you identify any potential oral problem at its earliest stage. Your dentist may also give you a professional deep tooth cleaning, which helps to get to all the hard to reach places leaving your teeth and gums clean.

Bottom Line:

So, whether it has been a while since you last visited your dentist or have never committed to taking proper care of your teeth, now is the time to start making your oral hygiene a priority. At Carrums Downs Dental Clinic we love taking care of patients of all ages, and our hearts have a special place for the old age. Feel free to call or book an appointment with us today.