Keeping Our Teeth and Gums Healthy as We Get Older
As we get older, no matter how lucky we are, some signs of ageing are inevitable, however, there are certainly lifestyle changes that can help delay, lessen or even prevent the ravages of time. By making more effort to live healthily, we can help to fight of some of the effects of ageing and this applies to our teeth and gums.
Let’s talk about ways that your mouth changes as you get older and what you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Stay hydrated
It’s normal for our mouth to be drier as we get older. This can be a problem as saliva is important for fighting against tooth decay and keeping our teeth clean. The best cause of action is to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. It’s also worth noting that some medicines can dry out your mouth, so it can be advisable to talk to a doctor about this to find out if you could be taking alternative medicines.
Make regular dental appointments
When we are younger, it’s often clear that there is a problem with our teeth as we have painful symptoms. However, nerves in teeth can lose sensitivity as we age, so pain tolerance is higher. Whilst this may sound like a good thing, it means that problems may not be diagnosed until much later and may be more serious and difficult to treat. The simple solution is to ensure that you visit your dentist for a check-up on a regular basis.
Keeping stains at bay
Over time, it’s normal for our teeth to grow darker as a result of the loss of enamel, however, we can take steps to keep teeth staining at bay. Eating certain foods, drinking alcohol, tea and coffee and smoking can increase the build-up of staining, so it’s advisable to change your lifestyle in order to prevent excessive teeth staining. However, a regular and effective cleaning regime is the best way to help prevent the darkening of teeth as we age.
Using a dentist-recommended toothbrush and fluoride tooth paste and brushing your teeth at least twice a day is essential for reducing staining and keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Our teeth and gums are meant to last a lifetime, so good oral healthcare is vital.
Preventing tooth decay and gum disease
Tooth decay and gum disease can slowly get worse over time, but good oral hygiene helps to stop these problems in their tracks. As stated above, brush your teeth at least twice a day, taking care to clean each tooth and around the gums. It’s also recommended that you floss every day and visit your dentist regularly.
Preventing excessive wear
Teeth are strong and the hardest part of the body, but this doesn’t mean that they aren’t subjected to wear and tear over the years. As we chew and bite throughout our life, it’s inevitable that our teeth will eventually show the signs as the grinding surfaces of our molars flatten and hard enamel thins.
Some loss of enamel is inevitable, as is the wear of our molars, however, we can prevent more severe wear and tear. For example, avoiding crunching on hard foods helps to prevent chipped and broken teeth. Teeth grinding can also have a considerable effect on tooth wear, so if you feel that you grind your teeth in your sleep, it’s important to seek help from a dentist.
Book a dental appointment today
If you are a resident of the Leicestershire and Rutland areas, JDRM Dental Care have 7 highly trusted dental practices in the area. To arrange an appointment, visit the JDRM Dental Care website and find your closest branch or call 03300 417062 in emergency cases.