Your Oral Health Needs As You Age

It’s essential to take good care of your teeth, especially as you grow old. One of the long-held misconceptions is the belief that losing one’s teeth is inevitable. This is far from the truth; if you properly take care of your teeth, they’ll last a lifetime. 

Some changes occur in your mouth as you age. The nerves in the teeth get smaller, thus making them less sensitive to cavities or other dental problems. And if you don’t go for regular dental checkups and examinations, this could lead to more severe dental diseases not diagnosed until a later stage. 

How Do You Keep Your Teeth Healthy as You Age?

Most people believe the misconception that tooth loss and gum disease are inevitable as they age. That’s not always true; your oral health as you age is your responsibility. Here are some tips to help you keep your teeth healthy. 

• Floss and Brush Your Teeth Every Day

You should floss and brush your teeth at least twice a day. This will help remove plaque. Plaque is an invisible bacteria film that lives inside the mouth. As it feeds on sugar and carbohydrate components in your mouth, it produces an acidic substance that attacks your gums and erodes your teeth. Brushing and flossing your teeth goes a long way in preventing this plaque from building up and causing dental problems for you. 

• Manage Dry Mouth

Older adults mostly experience dry mouth because of certain medications. The presence of saliva in the mouth helps to wash away food particles and bacteria. With less saliva in the mouth, you may be more vulnerable to more dental issues. This is why it’s important to manage your dry mouth by ensuring you drink enough water. If you experience unusual dry mouth, let our dentists know in your next dental appointment. 

• Take Proper Care of Your Gums

You must understand that your teeth are part of an interconnected system – the gums. Hence taking proper care of your gums will help you maintain strong and healthy teeth. Book an appointment with our dentists when you have swollen or bleeding gums. The quicker we detect the gum disease, the sooner we’ll help you restore your oral health. Having healthy gums go a long way in supporting and holding your teeth in place, thus making you less susceptible to losing your teeth as you age. Even if you wear dentures, having healthy gums will firmly support your appliance, making you talk and eat with ease. 

• Quit Smoking

If you’re a smoker, do your best to quit smoking. Smoking suppresses your immune system and deprives your body of the ability to heal itself. This, in turn, can make it hard for your body to fight against germs and bacteria, thus leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Moreover, if you’re addicted to tobacco, you stand a chance of getting throat/oral cancer. 

• Schedule an Appointment With a Dentist Regularly

If you want to maintain positive oral health, book an appointment with our dentists at Westerville Dental Associates at least once every six months for oral examination and teeth cleaning. 

Why Do Teeth Shift With Age?

The mouth is made up of a biological system of bones that are in constant motion. As you age, your teeth, especially the front ones, tend to shift toward the front of your mouth. Teeth shifting causes crowding that can become an aesthetic problem. When your teeth become crowded, it becomes harder to clean and floss, thus making them more prone to plaque build-up. 

You might be wondering what causes these teeth to shift. As you age, the support structures (tissues, bones, muscles, and ligaments) that once kept the teeth in place become weak. Jawbones, like every other bone in the body, lose their minerals and become less dense over time. This bone weakness is the leading cause of tooth loss and shifting. 

What Can You Do to Straighten Your Teeth as You Age?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends the use of fixed braces for straightening teeth. A temporary bracket is stuck to the teeth and joined with a flexible wire which exerts pressure on the teeth and moves it forward slowly. The wires are generally adjusted after every eight weeks. 

Another possible alternative used to straighten teeth is the use of clear aligners. For this treatment option, a dental scan is used to fashion an array of plastic aligners that can be worn day and night. The aligners are programmed to move your teeth about a quarter of a millimeter at a time for about 5 to 2 weeks.

What Are The Signs of Poor Oral Health as You Age?

Poor oral health and hygiene manifest itself in diverse ways. From toothaches to swelling or bleeding of gums, alterations to the tongue’s surface, and growth in the mouth, poor oral hygiene has different forms. Here are some of the most common signs of poor oral hygiene. 

• Tooth Pain and Tooth Decay

If you experience unusual tooth pain, don’t take it for granted. There is a chance that the pain will persist even when you increase the frequency of your cleanings. Tooth pain is an early sign of tooth decay. Visit our dentists immediately.

• Bleeding and Swollen Gums

Swelling, bleeding, or alterations in the color of your gum is a sign that something is wrong with your oral health. Only a professional dentist can fully tell you if it’s an early sign of gum disease. Treating your gums earlier can help prevent the occurrence of other severe gum diseases.

Other signs include:

• Deteriorating gums
• Growths within the mouth
• Alterations to the tongue

Continuous care of your teeth and overall oral health helps to ensure you maintain a beautiful smile for years to come. Please don’t be afraid to contact your dentist if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.