Whether you are 15 or 85 years old, dental care is necessary to maintain a pleasant smile. A great smile boosts your confidence and makes you more approachable. Poor dental health can have a negative impact on your overall health, personality and confidence, which is why routine dental care is imperative.  You have heard of the old saying “garbage in – garbage out” so keep your oral health in good shape to avoid an unhealthy gastrointestinal system.

While porcelain veneers are a fantastic option to consider, they are a bit costly, but there are a few other ways to enhance your smile without breaking the bank.

You can follow these simple tips to protect your oral health and keep your teeth and gums healthy and happy, but before that lets take a look at some of the dental issues that are quite common among elderly people.

The Most Common Dental Problems Faced by Elderly:

Bad Breath: Bad breath can be due to oral bacteria, acid reflux, tonsil stones, tobacco use, certain medications and poorly cleaned dentures. Bad breath can make social situations awkward for seniors. Don’t be the old uncle with smelly breath.

Dry Mouth: Over the counter medications, smoking tobacco, injury or surgery and chronic and bad health can cause dryness in their mouth. Saliva works as a natural defence system that protects you from tooth decay and cavities.

Tooth Loss: The main factors that contribute to tooth loss among the seniors are dental trauma and gum disease. Tooth loss can be avoided by maintaining proper oral care and hygiene.

Gum Disease: Many Seniors experience the ill effects of gum disease. Gum disease is connected to several health concerns like heart disease, which makes it important for you to take good care of your gums and teeth.

Cavities: Seniors develop cavities easily than children. In order to prevent cavities, avoid consuming food that is high in sugar on a daily basis and properly maintain your oral health.

Lack of Denture Care: Dentures are a typical method of treating tooth loss and require the same amount of care as normal teeth do. Seniors are highly likely to ignore denture care, which can cause a number of oral health issues as the dentures may not fit well in your mouth. Plaque build-up underneath a denture can irritate your tissue and gums.

Tooth Discolouration: As we grow older, the enamel on our teeth gets worn away, this increases the risk of seniors experiencing tooth discolouration.

If you are over 60, Follow These Tips to Keep your Mouth Healthy:

When people enter into their 60’s and they don’t need to go to work every day, they tend to ignore their health. Remember that your teeth and gums experience more wear and tear as you get older. When it comes to your dental health, it is necessary to maintain your oral health to avoid these various health risks associated with gum disease.

Floss Everyday: Brushing is not sufficient as food particles get stuck in between teeth and they can cause infection and decay, if not removed. Flossing is the simple and effective way to remove these small food particles. Make flossing a part of your daily oral hygiene routine.

Keep Your Denture Clean: If you are currently using a removable denture, it is essential to clean it daily because debris and bacteria on your denture can easily come in contact with your gums, increasing your risks of getting gum disease.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking a lot of water is not only beneficial for your overall health but also necessary for good dental health. Moreover, it also keeps your mouth clean by cleaning away the acids created by bacteria in your mouth.

Notice side effects of medications: Some medication can cause a dry mouth which can cause gum disease. Without saliva, there are more chances of tooth decay. So, when you start a new medication, watch for any changes to your gums, teeth and mouth. If you notice any change, consult your dentist immediately.

Don’t consume soft drinks: soft drinks are full of sugar, which means its consumption can increase acidity in your mouth. Plus, this can create cavities, destroy tooth enamel and often leads to tooth loss.

Avoid Smoking: Smoking is not only terrible for your health but for your teeth as well. It can cause multiple dental problems including tooth decay, receding gums, gum disease, lost sense of taste and smell at best and oral cancer at worst.

Chew Sugarless Gum: Chewing on gum produces more saliva to keep your mouth from drying up.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly: Make sure to visit your Sydney dentist almost every 5-6 months in order to maintain your oral health during your elderly years. They will give you the best treatment advice to keep your oral health in tip top shape and keep you kicking along.

No matter what stage of life you are at, make your dental health a priority. Taking good care of your teeth will help you maintain a better lifestyle.