Proper oral care can keep you smiling well into retirement. Contrary to common belief, tooth loss is primarily the result of preventable oral disease and not an inescapable result of the aging process.
Taking care of your teeth can help them last a lifetime. Even if you are missing teeth, or have full dentures, dental care should be a key part of your overall approach to health.
Taking care of your teeth is an investment in your general health – scientists have discovered a strong link between dental health and good overall health. As you age, your dental needs become increasingly specialized, making regular visits to the dentist even more essential.
The good news is that today’s older adults are keeping their natural teeth longer. This is thanks to scientific developments and an emphasis on prevention.
Here are some tips and information from Smart Smiles Dental to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Dental Issues Associated with Ageing
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is not just bothersome, but can be harmful to your health. Saliva is necessary for its lubricating ability, digestive enzymes, acid limiters, enamel-fixing compounds and bacteria-fighting agents.
- Cavities: A recent report found that nearly 33% of those surveyed over the age of 65 had untreated cavities. Such cavities usually cause pain, lead to more expensive therapies, and at worst lead to lost teeth.
- Periodontitis: The leading cause of lost teeth in adults, gum disease is a serious problem for many seniors. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of dental bacteria that forms on your teeth. Poor dental hygiene, poor-fitting dentures, or some diseases (including diabetes or cancer) can hasten gum disease.
- Denture Issues. When you have dentures, your jawbone slowly shrinks because there is nothing to stimulate it. Over time, this causes your dentures to become loose, making it difficult to eat and talk.
- Missing Teeth. In 2013, Australian survey data showed the proportion of people aged 45–64 without any natural teeth was 3.2%, compared to 19.1% for those 65 and over. Having a missing tooth allows food to get trapped there, which can feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Both of these can lead to the loss of neighboring teeth. It can also lead to drifting teeth, bite collapse, and negatively affected facial appearance.
- Oral cancer: A concern no matter what your age, this condition is 7 times more likely to develop in adults over the age of 65. Oral cancer is particularly threatening to tobacco and alcohol users (in that order).
What You Can Do to Maintain Your Oral Health
- Drink fluoridated water and use fluoride toothpaste; fluoride protects against dental decay at all ages.
- Practice good oral hygiene. Careful tooth brushing and flossing to reduce dental plaque can help prevent periodontal disease.
- See your dentist regularly, even if you have no natural teeth or have dentures. Dental care helps to maintain the overall health of the teeth and mouth, and provides for early detection of potentially threatening conditions.
- Avoid tobacco. In addition to the general health risks posed by tobacco use, smokers have seven times the risk of developing periodontal disease compared to non-smokers.
- Limit alcohol. Drinking a high amount of alcoholic beverages is a risk factor for oral and throat cancers. Add tobacco to alcohol and the risk factors increase even more.
- Sudden changes in taste and smell should be considered abnormal and a sign to seek professional care immediately.
- If medications produce a dry mouth, ask your doctor if there are other drugs that can be substituted. If dry mouth cannot be avoided, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid tobacco and alcohol.
Helpful At-Home Tips
- Drink fluoridated water and use fluoride toothpaste; fluoride protects against dental decay at all ages.
- Practice good oral hygiene. Careful tooth brushing and flossing to reduce dental plaque can help prevent periodontal disease.
- See your dentist regularly, even if you have no natural teeth or have dentures. Dental care helps to maintain the overall health of the teeth and mouth, and provides for early detection of potentially threatening conditions.
- Avoid tobacco. In addition to the general health risks posed by tobacco use, smokers have seven times the risk of developing periodontal disease compared to non-smokers.
- Limit alcohol. Drinking a high amount of alcoholic beverages is a risk factor for oral and throat cancers. Add tobacco to alcohol and the risk factors increase even more.
- Sudden changes in taste and smell should be considered abnormal and a sign to seek professional care immediately.
- If medications produce a dry mouth, ask your doctor if there are other drugs that can be substituted. If dry mouth cannot be avoided, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid tobacco and alcohol.
Helpful At-Home Tips
Dentists often may suggest changes or improvements to an older patient’s home oral health care regimen, some of which are adaptations of “regular” dental care and some of which are specific to protect oral health during the golden years:
- Using a soft-bristled brush for regular toothbrushing
- Gum stimulation
- Flossing regularly
- Chewing sugarless gum to increase saliva production and neutralize the pH in a patient’s mouth
- Drink plenty of water
- Good nutrition
- Be careful of “hard” or “sticky” foods that might harm your teeth
- Clean, store, and use dentures carefully
- Use ‘adaptive’ dental tools if motor control is limited
While age can bring new dental challenges, conquering them is worth the time and effort!
The Smart Smile Dental Advantage!
To enhance the overall look of your teeth as well as your overall dental health, visit your Deer Park dentist at Smart Smile Dental and let us help you at any age! It is never too late to begin. At Smart Smile Dental experience the benefits of a healthy and good-looking for your lifetime!
Special Offer for New Senior Patients
- FREE Dental Implants Consultation
Contact us on (03) 8390 5778 or simply book your appointment online.