Getting old is inevitable. It is not in our control, but we can make this process graceful with little care and concern. Taking care of dental health must be the top priority in advancing years of life…once gone (tooth loss), it’s lost forever. Always make sure to keep your smile intact, no matter what.

As you grow old, your gums may recede, teeth may become a little more sensitive, and so you may find it difficult to clean your teeth properly due to weak reflex and eyesight, you might have dentures or bridges to take care, and last but not the least you might also have dry mouth as a side effect of certain old age-related medicines.

So much said and done, it is not as scary as it may sound. All you need is regular care and healthy oral habits to maintain sparkling smiles, today, tomorrow, and forever.

In this article, we bring you tips and information specific to oral health in senior citizens. As you grow old, one must be aware of little tweaks in habits that can have long-lasting positive health benefits.

Here are ten helpful tips for keeping older teeth in the best shape possible.

1. Daily Brushing and Flossing to Avoid Plaque

Always ensure to brush your teeth two times a day, and floss at least once a day. Proper brushing and flossing provides a great line of defence against plaque, decay, and gum disease. Also, if you have dentures, never miss a chance to clean them after meals at least once in a day. Besides regular surface cleaning, in-between teeth should also be cleared using interdental brushes or floss.

2. Choose the Right Toothpaste With Proper Fluoride Content

There are many types of toothpastes in the market that contain fluoride. They are recommended for total oral care and tartar control. But not one concentration applies to all. Make sure to choose the right toothpaste for your teeth. Your dentist can suggest medicated or high fluoride containing toothpaste as per your dental health needs.

3. Opt For Easy to Handle Electric/Power Toothbrush

The grip to handle the toothbrush weakens with age, and if you have arthritis, it might be even more difficult. For such conditions, it is recommended to have an electric or power toothbrush, which helps in proper cleaning with slight movements. These brushes are designed with thicker handles, which are easier to hold and an oscillating head for best cleaning.

These technology-driven toothbrushes have been proven to remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes so that everyone can benefit.

4. Avoid Food and Drinks Containing Sugar and Starch

Sugar and starch combination always has the worst effect on your dental health. Whether you’re old or young, you should always keep a check on these two. Sugar results in cavities and tooth decay, and starchy food causes plaque, which results in bacterial build-up. And all eventually lead to dental decay and problems.

Try to control your sugar cravings with natural sugars and avoid artificial sweeteners. Also, too much sugary diet is associated with weight gain and increased risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

5. Make Sure to Quit Smoking

Besides so many other health concerns, smoking has a serious impact on oral health. It accelerates teeth and oral tissue damage. It lowers immunity and reduces the amount of oxygen in blood. Smokers are prone to oral, and lung cancer and the risk of the same increases manifold with the normal ageing process.

6. Keep Your Dentures Well Maintained

Dental implants are common in old age. You might have 2-3 tooth replacements, fillings, or even complete denture replacements. Fillings, crowns, and implants have certain life spans, but you can maintain these for longer spans with proper dental care. Taking care of dental work under specific guidance always adds longevity to it.

If you wear dentures, make sure to take good care of them like your natural teeth. Follow your dentist’s special care instructions to avoid any side effects.

7. Plan a Healthy and Well Balanced Diet

To feel energetic and full of life, continuously monitor what you are eating. A healthy, balanced diet improves overall health and improves dental health. Fermented foods help in maintaining oral bacteria in your mouth. Some specific foods boost your immune system and are especially helpful as you age, protecting you against infections and illness in your mouth.

8. Make Sure to Avoid Saliva Reducing Habits

Having a dry mouth is a common concern for seniors. It is due to several reasons. Some common reasons are certain medications and health conditions. But there are many habits that also cause a reduction in saliva.

Saliva has minerals and immune cells that help protect your teeth from cavities and infections. Some habits like sucking on mints or lollies add to the acid attacks on teeth.

Always ensure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and also avoid the dry mouth problems.

 9. Be watchful of age-related medical situations

Several medical conditions can affect the dental health of the senior citizens. These include cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

If you do not follow regular dental and oral care, these conditions can even worsen. Also, older people are commonly taking multiple medications at one time.

There are several medication types that can impact the oral cavity. The anti-depressants, Parkinson’s medication, high blood pressure drugs or blood sugar control medication make the mouth dry and cause oral cavity concern. If you’re taking these medications, it’s imperative to see your dentist regularly to ensure you’re not at risk of complications.

10. Visit your dentist regularly

Prevention is always better than cure. By visiting your dentist regularly, you are doing the right thing. It is always better to diagnose any potential dental problem at the earliest stage. If you delay the treatment, it may lead to permanent teeth damage.

Why not book yourself a consultation with your nearest Perfect Smile practice. Established in 2004, Perfect Smile has treated more than 4 million patients across the UK to date in giving them happy, healthy smiles.