Senior Dental Care: Your Comprehensive Care Guide
Your health needs change as you age, and senior dental care is no exception. Prioritizing your oral health as a senior can help preserve your smile and improve your overall quality of life. With help from your Melbourne, Florida dentist, seniors can keep their natural teeth as long as possible, maintain the integrity of their jaw and oral tissues, and reduce their risk of dementia by as much as 28 percent.
Good oral health is a lifelong process, requiring close attention from childhood to old age. Let’s review the importance of senior dental wellness and how to approach oral care in your golden years.
Regular Dental Check-ups are a Must
Visiting your dental provider approximately every six months is one of the best ways to maintain your smile. Your dentist can assist with the early detection of gum disease, tooth decay, and other conditions that can worsen over time. By identifying and treating these conditions early, you can save yourself money and discomfort. During these check-ups, your provider will clean your teeth to remove built-up plaque and tartar.
Avoid Dry Mouth by Staying Hydrated
Drinking enough water throughout the day is essential to avoid dry mouth. More than just an annoyance, dry mouth can create a harmful environment where bacteria breed and eat away at teeth. Adequate water consumption helps neutralize acids in the mouth and helps wash away food debris and excess sugars on the teeth, which may linger after meals. Limit your consumption of dehydrating substances, such as caffeine and alcohol.
Quit Habits Harmful to Senior Dental Care
You probably already know that everyday habits like smoking and excessive alcohol intake are bad for your overall health. However, many people underestimate their impact on the teeth and gums. Tobacco and alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer. It can also contribute to tooth loss. Even if you’ve been engaging in these habits for years, it’s never too late to quit.
Reevaluate Your Diet for a Healthier Smile
What you eat daily can have a major impact on your senior dental care. Frequent snacking, especially on sweets, can harm your smile, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Nutrition plays a key role in maintaining oral health, so look for ways to improve your diet. Include foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and calcium to support strong teeth and bones. Limit your consumption of acidic and sugary foods, which can harm oral health.
Incorporate Mouthwash into Your Routine
If you haven’t already, consider adding mouthwash to your daily oral hygiene routine. However, know that not all mouthwashes are made equal. The two most common types of mouthwash products include antiseptic and therapeutic. An antiseptic mouthwash will eliminate bacteria in the mouth, while a therapeutic mouthwash is often prescribed to treat specific oral conditions, such as gingival disease.
Communicate Changes to Your Melbourne, FL Dentist
Regarding your senior dental wellness, it’s essential to be proactive. Promptly discuss any changes to your teeth or gums and contact your provider if you experience discomfort in your oral cavity. Whether it’s oral pain, tooth sensitivity, or other unusual symptoms, notifying your dentist early on can help limit discomfort and resolve the underlying issue before it worsens.
Reach Out to the Team at Artistic Touch Dentistry
Caring for your oral health as you age can be challenging, but with help from a reputable dental team, you can preserve your smile for a lifetime. At Artistic Touch Dentistry in Melbourne, FL, we are proud to provide comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry services, as well as oral surgery and preventive dentistry to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. Contact our office today at 321.724.1400 to discuss your dental needs or to schedule an appointment.