Aging comes with many challenges, and your oral health is no different! A few decades ago, dentures were considered to be a definite solution in later life.
Today, where there is a lot more growth in dental practices, still many older people suffer dental problems like mouth infections, oral cancer, tooth loss, and more. While these mouth disorders can get severe, yet there is a lot you can do to maintain healthy teeth and smile. Here are six things you should consider:
Change Your Eating Habits!
As you grow, your teeth are more likely to wear down. All that biting, grinding, and chewing can wear away that hard outermost layer of your teeth called enamel. It can even damage your tooth severely when you bite.
While you have to face these wear and tear situations, still you can follow some steps to keeping your teeth a lot younger than before. Avoid eating hard foods that can lead to a broken or chipped tooth.
Furthermore, poor bite or teeth grinding at night are also some reasons for wore down teeth. Contact your dentist as it may need orthodontic work.
Do Not Brush Vigorously!
Tooth decay and gum disorders all can make your teeth sensitive. It can be slightly painful when you eat or drink something cold or hot. Brushing your teeth vigorously is also a cause of tooth sensitivity. Following good oral care, practice is the best thing you can do.
Brush, floss, and saline water rinse is the complete oral care routine you should do regularly. However, ask dr. dental to prescribe you pain-relief toothpaste if you are experiencing extreme sensitivity.
Cut Out Starches And Sugars!
Foods that are high in sugars and starch produce more acids inside your mouth. As a result, it can wear away the enamel. Avoid having citrus fruits and sugary drinks, take milk instead to cancel out the acid.
Take Good Care Of Your Gums
When we eat, all the food, fluids and saliva combine forming plaque which has thousands of bacteria. It can even become harder known as tartar which, if you don’t clean can cause gum swelling, bleeding, and soreness.
Other signs of gum disease are loose teeth, bleeding while brushing, bad breath or gums pulling back. It can even lead to severe infections that can infect the roots of your tooth. Thus, it is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Or, talk to your dentist if you notice any unusual activity in your mouth.
Stay Hydrated!
Saliva consists of essential components that our body needs for proper digestion and healthy teeth. But as you age, your mouth tends to get drier, and chances of tooth decay increase.
However, other reasons like medications and drugs, tobacco and alcohol also result in mouth dryness. So, to balance the water levels, drink lots and lots of water. You can keep sugarless candies or gums, whenever you crave for tobacco or smoke. If nothing works, consult your dentist for a better cure.
Regular Dental Checkups!
As you age, there’s a chance of growing severe diseases like mouth cancer. An ultimate solution to prevent this is to quit smoking, drinking, and other bad habits.
However, in most cases, pain is not an early symptom to identify, so, make sure to visit your dentist regularly. He can diagnose the issue and treat it accordingly. Use a good SPF before stepping out of your home.
The most important thing to having good oral health is to visit your dentist regularly. Make sure you follow a good oral care routine two times a day. Those who take good care have a beautiful smile in their golden age!