The older you get, the more important dental care becomes. Many older people experience dental problems, but it is encouraging to know that just by following a few simple guidelines, many of the problems can be prevented. Generally speaking, your mouth changes no differently than other parts of your body do, causing your gums to become softer and the muscles in your mouth to weaken as years go by. Saliva production decreases as well, creating an obvious issue when it comes to chewing food.
Due to the lower level of saliva in the mouth, tooth decay is also more likely. It's more difficult to use fillings to restore teeth because the decay often occurs near the gum line. Since with age the pulp of the teeth becomes smaller, and not much fluid reaches the teeth, the teeth have a tendency to become brittle and break more easily. Or, they can chip more easily.
Periodontal disease often happens during the aging process. This causes swollen gums that bleed even when brushing your teeth. If food gets trapped between teeth and gums, tooth loss can occur. If you think you might be suffering from periodontal disease, medical attention is required immediately to avoid tooth loss.
You can improve your dental hygiene by practicing a few basic techniques, including:
A medium soft brush and paste are your ideal tools to fight dental disease. If you can't appropriately grip a toothbrush because of arthritis or other joint problems, you can purchase a rubber strap that helps you secure a better grip. Be sure to brush your teeth, tongue and gums thoroughly after every meal. It is important to floss daily to remove food the toothbrush can't reach.
Rinse - As the flow of saliva is reduced, it's more likely that food particles will damage your teeth and gums. Rinsing removes the harmful particles. Some people find mouth washes irritating to the gums; if that's your case, dilute the mouthwash as needed.
Gauze wipes - If it's difficult for you to brush or rinse, try wiping your teeth with gauze - this will help remove some of the debris found around the teeth and gums.
Electric tooth brushes and irrigators - Electric tooth brushes are a boon to senior citizens. They are not hard to handle, and they can provide a great level of dental cleanliness. The irrigators are great for removing particles that might have escaped the toothbrush, but they can also cause problems if the particles are instead pushed into pockets in the gums.
Glycerine can be helpful in relieving gum irritation by providing added lubrication. It can also help stimulate saliva production.
A plan for better oral dental hygiene can reduce your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. If you use dentures, you can talk to your dentist to find out more about dental hygiene. Dentures are like your real teeth in that they can cause problems with gums if they aren't properly taken care of.
Do your research on good dental hygiene and develop daily techniques that will ensure your dental health as you age. You can also ask your dentist to help you come up with a good plan appropriate to your needs.
Due to the lower level of saliva in the mouth, tooth decay is also more likely. It's more difficult to use fillings to restore teeth because the decay often occurs near the gum line. Since with age the pulp of the teeth becomes smaller, and not much fluid reaches the teeth, the teeth have a tendency to become brittle and break more easily. Or, they can chip more easily.
Periodontal disease often happens during the aging process. This causes swollen gums that bleed even when brushing your teeth. If food gets trapped between teeth and gums, tooth loss can occur. If you think you might be suffering from periodontal disease, medical attention is required immediately to avoid tooth loss.
You can improve your dental hygiene by practicing a few basic techniques, including:
A medium soft brush and paste are your ideal tools to fight dental disease. If you can't appropriately grip a toothbrush because of arthritis or other joint problems, you can purchase a rubber strap that helps you secure a better grip. Be sure to brush your teeth, tongue and gums thoroughly after every meal. It is important to floss daily to remove food the toothbrush can't reach.
Rinse - As the flow of saliva is reduced, it's more likely that food particles will damage your teeth and gums. Rinsing removes the harmful particles. Some people find mouth washes irritating to the gums; if that's your case, dilute the mouthwash as needed.
Gauze wipes - If it's difficult for you to brush or rinse, try wiping your teeth with gauze - this will help remove some of the debris found around the teeth and gums.
Electric tooth brushes and irrigators - Electric tooth brushes are a boon to senior citizens. They are not hard to handle, and they can provide a great level of dental cleanliness. The irrigators are great for removing particles that might have escaped the toothbrush, but they can also cause problems if the particles are instead pushed into pockets in the gums.
Glycerine can be helpful in relieving gum irritation by providing added lubrication. It can also help stimulate saliva production.
A plan for better oral dental hygiene can reduce your risk for tooth decay and gum disease. If you use dentures, you can talk to your dentist to find out more about dental hygiene. Dentures are like your real teeth in that they can cause problems with gums if they aren't properly taken care of.
Do your research on good dental hygiene and develop daily techniques that will ensure your dental health as you age. You can also ask your dentist to help you come up with a good plan appropriate to your needs.