From infants to old age, everybody needs oral care. Maintaining good oral health in every stage of your life is very important and should be given more importance during ageing. An unhealthy mouth can cause some serious underlying health issues.
Let’s go through the dental problems that one can have with ageing:
Dry mouth: Saliva is an essential factor in maintaining oral health. It protects your teeth from decay and helps keep your gums healthy. With age, your salivary glands produce less saliva, and also medicines used by elderly people for treating some age-related issues can also reduce saliva production. A dry mouth causes bacteria to build up in the mouth more efficiently, leading to tooth decay.
Gum Diseases: Gum shrinks as you age, which makes the tooth roots more vulnerable to cavities. This condition begins with swollen, redness and bleeding gums and progresses to tooth loss.
Tooth discolouration: With age, the enamel tends to get thinner, which makes the teeth translucent, and also, the food we consume for a more extended period of time leaves a stain on the teeth. A darkened tooth may be a sign of a more severe problem and should be checked by your dentist.
Dental cavities: Cavities are common in older people because they often have receding gums, and the roots of the teeth are more vulnerable to decay.
Tooth loss: Gum disease and dental decay are the leading cause of tooth loss.
Here are some simple healthy habits that can help you keep your mouth and teeth young and robust.
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Rinse your mouth with plain water after every meal.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Avoid sugary food, beverages, and starchy food to prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar.
- Increased water intake. It helps flushes out bacteria and food particles, which causes oral cavities. Water also neutralises the acid in the mouth, reducing the incidence of decay.
- Do not smoke or consume tobacco.
- Take care of your dentures: If you wear dentures to replace your missing teeth, don’t forget to keep your dentures clean and free from food, as it can cause stains, bad breath, or swollen gums.
And most importantly, do not forget to visit your dentist regularly, every 6 months.
