Due to healthier lifestyles, as well as advances in professional care, we can expect to keep most of our natural teeth as we enter our senior years. How do you maintain healthy teeth as we age?
What items pose a risk?
A number of medications can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is a serious condition that can contribute to cavities and other oral health problems.
Seniors also develop more cavities on the roots of the teeth compared to younger adults.
Your local Dental office can recommend oral hygiene products to help you produce more saliva, which will aid in your dry mouth and keeping those cavities at bay.
Food particles and bacteria continue to accumulate throughout your mouth, including the tongue, remaining teeth and dentures, which has the potential to cause cavities, odours, sores, and irritation.
Excess bacteria can travel and develop into serious infections affecting your overall health.
In addition, many Seniors do not realize the importance of maintaining the health of their mouth after they loose some (or all) of their natural teeth.
It is important for you to keep up with your daily brushing (2 x day) , flossing, rinsing and going to your regular dental checkups regardless of the number of teeth left.
You can find more educational information at the Dental Hygiene Canada website or simply ask your Dentist how to care for your oral health 778 294 1514.