Oral health is a lifelong process. While we all know that brushing daily is important, for seniors, there are specific concerns and issues that arise with increased age. Here are five tips to help you maintain a healthy smile throughout your golden years.
1. Chew Smart Dry mouth is a common side effect of many medications and cancer treatments. Unfortunately, this means that dry mouth often affects seniors, who tend to be on more medication as they age.
Dry mouth is caused by a reduction in saliva flow; to combat this occurrence, most people will chew gum or candies. However, sugar can actually harm your oral health by feeding bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria growth can lead to much more serious dental problems including gum disease, so dentists recommend patients chew sugarless gum and candy.
2. Go Electric Arthritis and poor eyesight can make your daily oral health routine a hassle and a challenge. One simple way to make your life easier is to invest in an electric toothbrush. Where gripping and brushing movements can exacerbate your arthritic pain, having an automated toothbrush can make a big difference in improving your routine while still effectively brushing your teeth.
3. Eat Right Your diet affects more than just your waistline. To promote a healthy mouth and teeth, continue to focus on eating right. Avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar, because these contribute to oral disease and tooth decay. Instead, focus on eating foods like sugar-free yogurt, fruits and vegetables like apples and celery, and of course, your daily servings of calcium in milk and cheese. These all serve to combat natural enemies to your oral health, like bacteria and inflammation, and promote strong and healthy teeth.
