Dental care is important irrespective of your age. For people who are 65 years of age, it is especially important to maintain a healthy oral hygiene as diseases related to the same might take a longer time to treat. In some cases, oral health is linked with a host of other issues such as stroke, high blood pressure, and even heart disease.
The following article has the most helpful teeth care tips that will help you maintain an overall hygienic oral health.
- Floss daily
A survey suggests that only 30 to 50% of the people across the country floss their teeth after dinner. As a senior, it is one of the simplest habits you can adapt to improve your oral hygiene. Flossing helps in removing debris and food particles that result in bacterial growth and infection in teeth and gums. - Keep the removable dentures clean
One of the most important teeth care tip for seniors is to keep their dentures clean everyday. Remove the dentures and place them in a glass or a jar filled with a mix of water and mouthwash. The mouthwash will inhibit the bacterial growth if any, in the removable dentures. An unclean denture resting on gums can lead to gum diseases. This, in turn, can lead to a variety of other health issues. - Stay hydrated
It is common for senior citizens to use the bathroom frequently given their age. This forces them to drink less water so that they would not feel the urge to urinate more often. While this is understandable, staying hydrated is equally important as a dry mouth accelerates bacterial growth. - Use a mouthwash after every meal
Most of us tend to overlook this fact but, rinsing the mouth only with water might not stop the bacterial growth and completely flush out the food particles. Thus, a mouthwash with ingredients such as fluoride, peroxide, and other essential oils will help in killing the bacterial growth and keep the teeth healthy.
- Get a yearly dental checkup
Our teeth contains a protective layer called enamel that makes it strong and gives them their distinct color. This enamel wears off as we age. Hence, in seniors, the content of enamel on the teeth is considerably less. This makes them more vulnerable to damage. Hence, it is important to get a yearly dental checkup for tooth enamel repair and teeth whitening. - Avoid consuming soft drinks
Soft drinks contains carbonic acid which can stain and damage teeth. If consumed on a regular basis, there are chances that it might start dissolving the enamel, making the teeth and gum weak. This is the most important teeth care tip which one should follow. - Avoid using a toothbrush with hard bristles
Brushing teeth with hard bristles and using a toothpaste that is too abrasive will wear down the tooth enamel which leads to tooth decay. Hence, use a toothbrush that has soft bristles.
Apart from this, it is necessary to have a dental plan to cover for dental repairs and denture implants. Consult a dentist as they will provide you with exclusive teeth care tips based on your oral health.
