Senior Dental Care- Things You Need to Know

When people age, there are several things that people often let fall by. Dental hygiene is one of those personal hygiene measures that people often forget. As dental health is an important part of the overall health of the body, therefore, the senior people need to make dental care a priority. And visiting a good dentist in Clovelly can help them in this matter.

Tooth loss is one of the major issues that seniors often face. And before losing teeth, seniors often experience discoloration or tooth sensitivity because of loss of dentin or enamel or face root deterioration because of gum recession. Besides, seniors are also prone to some periodontal diseases due to some improper dental hygiene, ill-fitting diseases or appliances, poor diet, etc. At the same time, the supporting bone structures for the teeth like the jaws can shift. And this can play an important role in the senior’s bite while contributing to tooth decay. Other issues that lead to tooth decay in seniors are dry mouth syndrome, gum tissue inflammation, or oral thrush. 

Apart from that, arthritis in the fingers and hands can make flossing or brushing teeth a tough job to perform. Additionally, drugs also affect the oral health of seniors like cognitive health disorders or forgetting to brush. And all of these things make senior dental care important. Therefore, it is necessary to schedule dental check-ups every six months or more with a qualified periodontist and dentist in Clovelly.

Now let’s have a look at the ways to improve senior dental care:

• The first important step to maintain oral health is to brush your teeth twice every day and floss every couple of days using a toothbrush with soft bristles, toothpaste that contains fluoride, and floss or some other interdental cleaner. In case you are unable to brush your teeth properly, then it is better to use an electric toothbrush. But brushing or flossing is not enough. Some other steps need to be followed.
• Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash once or two times every day.
• If you have partial or full dentures, then don’t forget to clean those regularly. Remove the dentures at night. Don’t forget to maintain dental appliances like dental bridges or dentures properly.
• If you are facing trouble in brushing your teeth properly, then use gauze or soft cloth to remove all the debris from your teeth and then rinse your mouth frequently. Follow this step until you can brush your teeth again.
• Drink tap water. As tap water contains fluoride, it successfully prevents tooth decay.
• Smoking is known for increasing tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Therefore, it is important to quit the habit of smoking to save your teeth.
• Visit the dentist in Clovelly as often recommended for maintaining regular dental hygiene.
• Consider visiting your dentist before and after the surgery. And whenever you visit the dentist, tell him/her about the medications that you are presently taking. Also, tell him if there is any change to your present medication.