As our mouth changes, the nerves in our teeth become smaller; teeth become more sensitive to cavities or other problems as we age. If we don’t get regular dental exams, it may lead to various issues not being diagnosed until it is too late. Hence, it becomes very significant to take good care of your teeth and oral health as we age. It is a widespread misconception that losing your teeth is inevitable as you age, which is not valid. If you take proper care of your teeth, they can last for a lifetime. Healthy teeth and gums make it possible to enjoy food and keep your teeth and gums active even if you age. Proper oral care is mandatory; if you want to feel good, stay healthy, and look great throughout life. Teeth, gums, and the other oral cavities need extra care and dentist visits if you wish them to stay healthy in your older years.
Neglecting your oral health is going to trigger problems at any age, but as you get older, the issues get worse. Missing or loose teeth can create problems in eating and talking. Speech issues and facial changes from missing teeth very often lead to self-consciousness, social isolation, and even depression.
How To Take Good Oral Care?
Keeping your mouth young in old age needs do-it-yourself care: brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least twice a day. Regular dental appointments are also vital, although dental care is expensive, and retirement may mean losing affordable dental insurance as surveys display that nearly 25 percent of people over age 65 haven’t visited a dentist in the past five years. The do-it-yourself care includes the following points:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. An electric toothbrush may help you better. Use tiny circular motions and short back-and-forth strokes.
- Brush your teeth very carefully and gently along your gum line.
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue softly to keep your mouth clean lightly.
- Clean around your teeth with dental floss. Careful flossing decreases the risk of plaque and leftover food that a toothbrush can’t reach.
- Clean between your teeth with a flossing tool at least once a day.
- Rinse after you floss.
- People having full or partial dentures must clean them daily. Remove your dentures out of your mouth for at least four hours every day, and it is better to remove them at night.
- Visit your dentist routinely for a check-up and cleaning.
- Follow a well-balanced diet.
- Stop smoking, which increases your risk of gum disease. It may also put you at higher risk for lung and other cancers, tooth decay, and tooth loss.
- Visit your dentist if brushing or flossing makes your gums to bleed or hurts your mouth. And if you face issues in flossing, a floss holder may help you in this regard. Ask your dentist to define to you the right way to floss.
- Drink tap water. Since most contain fluoride, it helps prevent tooth decay no matter how old you are.
By inculcating healthy oral habits at home, making smart diet choices and lifestyle, and getting regular dentist visits, you can help your teeth last a lifetime—whether you have your natural teeth, dental implants, or wear dentures.
The well-being of your decaying teeth and mouth depends on the health of the rest of your body. Research says that there is a close connection between gum inflammation and diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, heart stroke, and respiratory problems, all of which are more prevalent in later life. Researchers claim that bacteria from gum infections travel through the bloodstream to stimulate inflammation in organs and tissues at distant sites. Among the people having diabetes, uncontrolled blood sugar harm the blood vessels that may supply the gums, so they become subject to infection, which accelerates the periodontal disease. High blood sugar also converts into increased sugar in oral fluids for bacteria to feed on. Conversely, inflammation from oral infection may trigger the body’s resistance to insulin, leading to greater difficulty in keeping blood sugar under control.
It is also noticed that a sparkling smile also gets dimmed over the years due to a lack of care. This change is due to the part of the yellowing of the dentin inside the tooth that can show through the enamel, mainly as it thins and cracks as you age. The enamel itself becomes stained by coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco. There’s no deficit of whitening products these days. Dental bleaches that contain peroxide (available over the counter or through your dentist) will lighten your teeth to a few shades, although the results are less dramatic in lower teeth. Whitening toothpaste and rinses can temporarily lift superficial stains, but don’t expect the effect to last much. And if you wish to go for a bleaching method, it’s a good idea to visit a dentist. Some whitening products, such as carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide, can make teeth sensitive. And the effectiveness of various bleaching techniques can differ with the type of discoloration. Stains that are resulted by exposure to the antibiotic tetracycline in childhood are particularly stubborn and may need several rounds of bleaching to remove.
At Dr. Mohamed Ali’s office, San Francisco, he will thoroughly asses you to help you from old age dental issues. He will suggest the best course of action suited to your needs. The billing experts will inspect your insurance benefits and will offer you a complete treatment plan with all the necessary arrangements. Every major dental and medical PPO insurance plans are accepted, including Medicare at our dental practice. There is also an in-office Plan for Health for those who don’t have any insurance. Also, we have partnered with various financial institutions like The Lending Club, Care Credit, Healthcare Finance Solutions to make your treatment extremely affordable. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. So sit, relax, and get long-lasting healthy teeth. Call us today to schedule your consultation. You can reach us at 415.391.7751.
