Proper home care and regular dental checkups can keep your teeth going for a lifetime. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily and visiting your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups will keep your teeth and gums healthy, no matter what your age is.
When you are old, you may face certain issues about your oral health may come up, whether you brushed and flossed your teeth regularly or not. Many older people face issues like wearing dentures, taking medication and general health. You can meet these challenges quite successfully with help from your dentist and physician.
• In seniors, cavities and decay on the root surfaces of the teeth are more common. Consider it important to brush with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and see your dentist regularly.
• An increasing problem as one ages can be sensitivity. Your gums naturally recede over time, exposing areas of the tooth that are not protected by enamel. These areas are especially made particularly prone to feel pain by cold or hot foods and beverages. Sensitivity to sour and sweet drinks and foods as well as cold air, can occur, in severe cases. Anti-sensitivity toothpaste is good to try out if you are experiencing sensitivity. The sensitivity may be an indication of a more serious condition, such as a cavity or a cracked or fractured tooth, so if the problem persists, see your dentist.
• Dry mouth is a common condition in seniors and one that may be caused by medications or certain medical disorders. Damage to your teeth can occur if dry mouth is left untreated. There are various methods to restore moisture in your mouth that your dentist can recommend including appropriate treatments and medications to prevent problems associated with dry mouth.
• Existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, can affect your oral health.
• Even though they require special care, dentures can make life easier for many seniors. See your dentist and follow his instructions carefully if any problems arise. An annual checkup is recommended for long-term denture wearers.
• People especially over 40 have a potential for gum disease, a potentially serious condition that can affect people of all ages.
The earliest stages of gum disease are reversible so it is important to spot it early on. Regular dental checkups can insure early detection and treatment of gum disease. To prevent gum disease from developing in the first place, it is best done by practicing proper oral hygiene. Diminished sense of taste is common among seniors. While advancing age impairs the sense of taste, diseases, medications, and dentures can also contribute to this sensory loss.
To strengthen damaged teeth or replace missing ones, crowns and bridges are used. A crown can be used to improve the appearance, shape or alignment besides strengthening a damaged tooth. Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. The space where the teeth are missing is spanned by the. The empty spaces surrounding the implants or the natural teeth are cemented by the bridges.
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