At Gentry Dentistry of Suwanee, we proudly serve everyone from patients with “growing grins” to those with “senior smiles.” Just as we try to impress upon our youngest patients the value of maintaining a great dental hygiene regimen, we are equally focused on the practices of our patients in their golden years. Our knees aren’t the only things to weaken in our bodies as we age. Our mouths fall victim to decades of staining, enamel deterioration, gum disease, and other ravages of time. Thankfully, there are several healthy aging dental tips and precautions you can take to protect that beautiful smile of yours.
Prioritize Regular Dental Check-ups
From our eyes to our hearts to our joints, as we get older, visits to the doctor often become a regular part of our schedules. The same should hold true for visits to your dentist. A lifetime of chewing and exposure to acidic foods can wear away your protective enamel and flatten out the tops of your teeth, making them vulnerable to some fairly serious dental issues. By visiting your dentist two times a year, you should be able to stay ahead of any potential problems and develop a hygiene strategy and treatment plan to stave those issues off for as long as possible. If you’re due for a visit to Gentry Dentistry of Suwanee, call our patient service desk at 770-945-5850 to schedule your senior dental checkups.
Practice Consistent Oral Hygiene
It’s just as important when you’re an older adult as when the tooth fairy paid regular visits to brush your teeth at least two times and floss at least once daily. As a matter of fact, the rate of tooth decay in people over 65 now outpaces that of young children. That is primarily due to the fact that the gumline often recedes with age, exposing the neck of the tooth – making it vulnerable to cavities. If arthritis makes brushing your teeth using conventional toothbrushes difficult, you might want to switch to an electric toothbrush with an easy grip. You can also replace standard floss with handheld flossers or an electric water flosser to free any food between your teeth.
Be Mindful of Diet and Nutrition
We all know that sugary candies, juices, and colas can wreak havoc on our teeth – regardless of age. But did you know that there are certain foods and beverages you can look to in order to protect your smile from tooth loss as you age? Foods and drinks rich in calcium and vitamin D – like milk, yogurt, salmon, canned tuna, mushrooms, eggs, kale, broccoli, hard and cottage cheeses, black beans, and more - can go a long way in protecting your smile. Beyond diet and nutrition for senior oral health, it’s important to remember that some medications can also adversely affect your smile. This includes calcium-channel blockers for heart disease and antiseizure drugs, among others. You may experience puffy gum tissue, dry mouth, and more – which could lead to gum disease or tooth decay over time.
Consider Fluoride Treatments
Since senior teeth are particularly vulnerable, you might want to add fluoride treatments to your regular dental visits and an at-home fluoride rinse in the months between trips to the dentist. Fluoride is your first and best line of defense for protecting your tooth enamel – either halting the progression of decay or reversing its effects.
Address Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitive teeth are often the body’s warning sign of trouble ahead. It could signal a cavity, tooth erosion, gum recession, gum disease, plaque buildup, or cracked teeth. Of course, more common issues can also cause tooth sensitivity, such as consuming too many acidic foods or not enough time between tooth whitening treatments. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you sense a sudden and sharp pain in your teeth whenever you drink hot or cold liquids or breathe in cold air, be sure to alert your dentist so they can take action. That action could run the gamut from the suggestion of swapping your current toothpaste for a desensitized version to fluoride treatments to dental bonding.
Consider Dental Implants or Dentures, if Necessary
According to Harvard Medical School, roughly three-quarters of people aged 65+ retain at least some of their natural teeth. For some of us, tooth loss is a part of life – no matter how thoroughly we brush and floss. If you’re missing a tooth here and there, dental implants or bridges might be the best answer. However, if you find that you’re missing (or about to lose) several teeth – particularly those adjacent to one another – dentures may prove the most effective course of action for restoring your smile.
We hope you’ve found this list of senior oral care guidelines helpful! Visit our blog often for even more helpful tips for protecting your teeth and gums in between visits. And if you’re looking for a new dentist in Suwanee, GA, Gentry Dentistry is accepting new patients. Call us at 770-945-5850 to schedule your first visit. We’re located at 3585 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd, Suite #101-A, and we can’t wait to meet you!
Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-aging-mouth-and-how-to-keep-it-younger
