According to the CDC, about 20% of Americans over 65 have lost every single one of their teeth. Sadly, many of these people don’t care for their aging teeth as they should, often resulting in them losing teeth ahead of schedule.
With this in mind, you should learn how to care for your teeth as you age. By putting the right elderly dental care practices in place, you can prevent aging teeth from falling out at any point.
You can also prevent other oral health issues from popping up when you make caring for your aging teeth a top priority. You simply can’t understate the importance of oral hygiene for the elderly.
Check out how to care for aging teeth below. It should help you to stop almost every dental disease in its tracks and keep your teeth in excellent shape for years to come.
Use an Electric Toothbrush to Clean Your Teeth After Meals
As people get older, it can begin to get to be more and more difficult for them to clean their teeth. It isn’t always easy for them to use a regular toothbrush to get their aging teeth as clean as can be.
For this reason, those over 65 should try to get their hands on electric toothbrushes. These toothbrushes will get aging teeth cleaner than they would be otherwise without forcing people to work too hard to clean their teeth.
Electric toothbrush prices have gone down a lot in recent years. You should consider investing in one for your oral health needs.
Strive to Floss Your Teeth at Least Once Each Day
In addition to brushing their teeth, those over 65 also need to make it their mission to floss them. This is often easier said than done when you consider how bad many younger people are about flossing their teeth.
Ideally, you should attempt to floss your teeth at least once each day. You should floss them right before you brush your teeth in the morning or at night to stop plaque from building up in between them.
Clean Any Dentures Your Dentist Has Supplied for You
Did your dentist provide you with partial or full dentures to wear in your mouth? If they did, they should have stressed the importance of cleaning your dentures all the time.
Fortunately, it shouldn’t be too difficult to keep dentures clean. You should be able to do it by soaking them and then using a soft-bristled brush to clean them off completely.
But there are some denture wearers who don’t ever get around to cleaning their dentures. This is going to take a toll on your oral health if you don’t do something about it.
Continue to Visit Your Dentist Twice Each Year
It’s important for everyone, regardless of age, to visit their dentists at least twice each year for cleanings. Regular cleanings will stop plaque and gingivitis in their tracks and keep your mouth as a whole so much cleaner.
As you start to get up there in age, you might not think that seeing a dentist every six months is as important as it used to be. But you could argue that it’s going to be even more imperative that you do it as you age.
Your aging teeth are going to get more and more challenging to clean on your own. A dental hygienist and a dentist will be able to clean them up for you and provide you with a five-star dental experience.
Alert Your Dentist to Any Issues With Your Teeth
While you’re visiting your dentist for routine cleanings, you shouldn’t be shy about bringing up any other oral issues you might be having. You should point out any problem areas and see what your dentist has to say about them.
A small cavity might not be a huge problem in and of itself. But that cavity could grow in size and eventually force a dentist to take one of your teeth out. It’s why you should always try to stay ahead of the curve while you’re caring for aging teeth.
Understand How Other Health Problems Might Affect Your Aging Teeth
Did you know that a health issue like diabetes could cause inflammation in your mouth that could possibly lead to gum disease? And did you know that there are certain medications that could dry out your mouth and increase your chances of dealing with dental problems?
It’s important for you to realize the connections that exist between your health as a whole and your dental health. There are some conditions that can cause you to suffer issues with your teeth, gums, cheeks, tongue, etc.
You, your primary doctor, and your dentist should be in almost constant communication about your health. It’ll ensure that your aging teeth don’t get overlooked when you’re trying to take better care of yourself.
Take Care of Your Aging Teeth to Keep Them Around for the Long Haul
If you don’t do anything to care for your aging teeth, they’re going to fall out eventually. And it could affect everything from your speech to your ability to chew foods and eat.
You can avoid having this happen to you by taking good care of your aging teeth at all times. The harder you work to maintain your teeth, the longer you’re going to be able to keep them around.
Want to read more articles that will help you maintain your good health? Find them by browsing through the rest of our blog.
