Reaching the golden retirement years is significant. Heading toward those years with your original teeth is phenomenal. Taking care of those teeth adds to a person’s overall health, allowing those golden years to be a bit brighter.
1. Sugar Free Foods
With age come more medications, whether it is for high blood pressure, diabetes, or other complications. Medicines can cause dry mouth that can do damage on teeth. Without saliva to rid the mouth of bacteria, the bacteria multiply to decay teeth and wear away bone. Ask the doctor about cutting down medications or find other medicines with minimal side effects. Saliva substitutes are available to lubricate the mouth. Special dry mouth toothpastes are helpful. Chewing sugarless gum with the ingredient Xylitol helps keep the saliva flowing. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to hydrate the mouth.
2. Avoid Tobacco
Oral cancer is a serious condition that can be fatal. Smoking is the number one culprit as it increases the temperature in the mouth that harms skin cells making cells vulnerable to chemical toxins found in tobacco. Avoiding tobacco products and visiting a reliable dentist for periodic oral cancer screenings will minimize this risk. This will also help you improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. Tobacco can easily stain your teeth, and frequently causes bad breath. As your body ages, you become more susceptible to cancer related diseases, and it doesn’t make sense for you to risk your health by continuing to use tobacco products.
3. Good Dental Habits
Decaying teeth can lead to other health problems throughout the body. Gum inflammation results that allows bacteria to attack the soft tooth tissue leading to decay. Brush and floss the teeth regularly at least two times a day using fluoride toothpaste while rinsing with fluoride mouthwash as an added boost. Fluoridated drinking water is another good choice as it slows the minerals lost if bacteria are present. If brushing, flossing, and other routine dental habits become difficult for you, consider investing in an electric toothbrush, or a water flossing device that will flush out the gaps between your teeth. Tooth decay, if unchecked can actually contribute to other serious health problems, including heart disease. It is far easier to invest the time daily to ensure your teeth are healthy.
4. Professional Care
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can lead to serious disorders such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart problems. Bacteria from gum disease enter the blood to wreak havoc on other parts of the body. Annual check-ups by a dentist in Avon along with six-month cleanings will deter gum disease. The extra precautions you take can help you keep your teeth in good condition for years to come.
5. Denture Care
Wearing dentures can lead to painful gums if food becomes trapped under them. Properly cared for dentures can dissolve potential gum problems. Take dentures out during sleep and let them soak in plain water. After eating, remove dentures and rinse them while brushing to remove food particles.
The golden years should be a time to relax and enjoy life without the pain and anguish of decaying teeth. By following these few basic steps, those golden years can be met with a smile.