Dental health must continue to be taken care of as you age, namely by going to the dentist and getting used to maintaining dental hygiene at home. You should also adjust your dental care and how to clean your teeth according to your age so that it remains effective, and in accordance with the condition of an aging mouth. Overall, maintaining healthy teeth as you age requires good care and a willingness to change habits according to your needs.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Adjusting Dental Care As You Get Old
Step 1. Buy a different toothbrush
Increasing age may make it difficult for you to brush your teeth as well as you normally would. As you get older, you should switch to using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Also, if you have arthritis, you may find it difficult to brush your teeth with a regular brush. In this case, you can use a toothbrush with a longer handle, or purchase an electronic toothbrush instead.
- A soft toothbrush can protect aging gums and tooth enamel.
- The longer-handled toothbrush allows you to brush your teeth with your arm slightly down.
- An electronic toothbrush allows you to not press too hard, but still clean your teeth thoroughly.
Step 2. Don't let your mouth dry out
Your mouth will dry out more easily as you age. This can be caused by changes in the mouth or the use of drugs that cause dry mouth. A dry mouth will affect the health of your teeth because the presence of saliva can protect teeth from decay while helping to clean them.
- To treat dry mouth, drink more water and let it sit in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing.
- Also, try sucking on sugar-free candy or lozenges, or chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production in your mouth.
Step 3. Tell your dentist about your health problem
If you develop certain diseases as you age, you should tell your dentist about this as it may affect your dental care. Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer greatly affect dental health and these effects must be addressed by a dentist.
Step 4. Tell your dentist about the medications you are taking
As you age, you may be using more drugs. Meanwhile, some types of drugs can affect the health of your teeth. Tell your dentist about all the medications you are taking so they can consider their effects when treating your teeth.
For example, drugs that thin the blood such as aspirin and warfarin can cause heavy bleeding in the mouth during dental treatment
Step 5. Consider seeing a senior dentist
There are some dentists who focus on providing dental care services for the elderly. Thus, they can provide special care that suits the needs of the elderly.
You can find a dentist who specializes in seniors (called a geriatric dentist) through the dentist association's website or a referral from your dentist
Method 2 of 3: Taking good care of your teeth
Step 1. Clean your teeth every six months
It is very important to clean your teeth regularly as you age. Cleaning your teeth will not only maintain the health and appearance of your teeth, but it will also allow your dentist to detect any developing problems with your teeth before they get serious.
With age, the nerves in the teeth will decrease in sensitivity. This means, you may no longer be able to feel the newly developing problem with your teeth. This is why regular checkups are so important as you age
Step 2. Visit the dentist if you have problems with your teeth
If you suspect you have a problem with your teeth, get it checked out as soon as possible. Even if you are afraid of the possibility of pain during dental treatment, or have limited funds and are worried about the cost of the treatment, you should still get your dental problems checked
- The cost of treating minor dental problems will be less than putting it off until you have to pay for bigger problems. However, there may be more economical options for you to use, such as paying for dental care in installments, using insurance, or visiting a health center or clinic at the dental faculty.
- Tooth pain can also affect the fulfillment of your food intake. If you experience tooth pain and this makes it difficult for you to meet your food intake, you should get it checked immediately.
Step 3. Talk about protective treatments for your teeth
Talk about protective treatment options that can provide extra protection for your teeth. Two commonly used treatments are fluoride varnish and fissure sealants.
- Fluoride varnish is a treatment that involves applying strong fluoride to the teeth. This fluoride coating will strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the potential for decay. This treatment can be given every six months.
- Fissure sealant is a plastic or resin coating that is applied to the gaps in the teeth. This coating will protect the teeth from bacteria and food that may be trapped in the gaps in the teeth. This coating can last up to 10 years.
Method 3 of 3: Get in the habit of cleaning your teeth well
Step 1. Brush your teeth twice a day
As you get older, you need to keep your teeth clean. A core part of good dental hygiene is brushing your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth will remove food debris and bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Tooth sensitivity may increase with age. This can be minimized with a soft toothbrush and desensitizing toothpaste
Step 2. Floss between your teeth every day
In addition to brushing your teeth, you also have to clean between them. Between the teeth can not be cleaned effectively using a brush alone. So, use dental floss to do it.
- If you don't floss between your teeth, plaque, food debris, and bacteria can accumulate there.
- Be careful when cleaning between your teeth below the gum line so you don't hurt the area, especially if you're taking medications that make you more prone to bleeding.
Step 3. Make sure to get enough fluoride
You should get enough fluoride as you age because it can help protect your teeth from wear and tear. In the elderly, protecting the surface below the gum line is very important because the gums will decrease with age.
You can also get fluoride from fluoridated toothpaste, or water containing fluoride (easy to find in many cities)
Step 4. Clean the dentures
If you have partial or full dentures, you will need to clean them as well. Remove the dentures every night, making sure to clean them thoroughly, soak, and rinse before putting them back in your mouth.
- You should be given instructions on how to properly clean your dentures when you buy them. To clean dentures, you usually have to soak them overnight and brush them with a denture cleanser.
- You should also clean the inside of your teeth after removing your dentures. Be sure to brush your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth.
Step 5. Avoid smoking
Smoking over time can cause serious damage to teeth. Smokers are more likely to develop gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss, as well as other health problems.
Talk about smoking cessation programs that may be available to you. It's never too late to quit smoking
Step 6. Take good care of your teeth
To keep your teeth healthy in the long run, you must take good care of them. In addition to keeping your teeth clean, you should also avoid biting or chewing foods that are too hard, such as ice. Chewing hard food can cause your teeth to break or crack, and this damage should be treated by a dentist.
If your tooth is cracked, visit the dentist immediately. Cracks in tooth enamel will make your teeth more prone to cavities. Dentists can help protect cracked tooth surfaces as well as repair them
Step 7. Avoid drinks that can damage teeth
Fizzy drinks or acidic drinks such as soda pop or fruit juice can cause tooth enamel loss. In addition, alcoholic beverages can also damage teeth. If you are concerned about the health of your teeth, avoid these drinks as much as possible.
