How to Maintain Dental Health as You Age

As you grow older, continuing to care for your teeth properly becomes even more crucial. Proper dental care includes regular visits to the dentist and practicing good oral hygiene at home. Moreover, it’s important to adjust your dental care habits as you age to ensure that maintaining your dental health is effective and appropriate for your age. In general, maintaining dental health in older adults requires meticulous attention and a willingness to adapt habits as needed.

Get a new toothbrush. As you get older, brushing your teeth in the way you once did may become more difficult or less effective. You should use a soft-bristled toothbrush as you age. Additionally, if you suffer from arthritis, it may be hard to use a regular toothbrush. In this case, you could try using a toothbrush with a longer handle or opt for an electric toothbrush.

• A soft-bristled toothbrush can protect your gums and aging enamel.
• A toothbrush with a longer handle allows you to lower your hand position while brushing.
• An electric toothbrush reduces the pressure needed when brushing, allowing for a thorough clean with less force.

Prevent Dry Mouth. The risk of dry mouth increases as you age. This is often due to changes in the mouth or medication that causes dryness. Dry mouth can affect your dental health because saliva protects your teeth from cavities and helps keep them clean.

• To reduce dry mouth, you should drink more water and hold the water in your mouth for a few seconds while drinking.
• Additionally, you can suck on sugar-free candies or lozenges, or chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production in your mouth.

Discuss any medical issues with your dentist. If you have health problems as you age, you should inform your dentist because these conditions may affect your dental care routine. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer can significantly impact your oral health, and these effects should be addressed by your dentist.

Inform your dentist about any medications you are taking. As you get older, you may need to take more medications. Some medications can impact your teeth and oral health. Be sure to tell your dentist about all the medications you are taking so they can take them into consideration when caring for your teeth.

• For example, blood thinners like Aspirin and Warfarin can cause excessive bleeding in the mouth when your dentist is working on your teeth.

Consider visiting a dentist specializing in senior dental care. Some dentists specialize in providing dental care for older adults. They can offer professional care tailored to the specific needs of older individuals.

• You can find a dentist specializing in senior dental care (known as geriatric dentistry) through the website of a specialty dental association or by asking your general dentist for a referral.

Get a dental cleaning every 6 months. Regular dental cleanings become increasingly important as you age. This step not only helps maintain healthy teeth but also allows the dentist to spot potential issues (if any) before they become too serious.

• As you age, the nerves in your teeth become less sensitive. This means you may not be able to feel when an issue arises. That’s why regular dental visits are crucial as you grow older.

Visit the dentist if you have dental concerns. If you suspect you have a dental issue, it’s important to visit the dentist as soon as possible. Even if you're worried about the potential pain from dental treatment or the cost of procedures, it's still important to get checked.

• The cost of addressing minor dental issues early will be far less expensive than dealing with serious dental problems later on. Additionally, there are ways to save on costs, such as installment payments or using insurance.
• Tooth pain can affect your ability to eat. If you experience tooth pain and find it hard to eat, you should seek treatment immediately.

Discuss methods to protect your teeth. Talk to your dentist about ways to further protect your teeth from wear and tear. Two common treatment options are Fluoride Varnish application and dental sealants.

• Fluoride Varnish is a procedure where a potent fluoride is applied to the teeth. This fluoride layer helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevents cavities. Fluoride Varnish can be applied every 6 months.
• Dental sealants are a layer of soft or hard plastic applied to the grooves of your teeth. This coating protects the teeth from bacteria and food particles that could get trapped in the gaps. The coating can last up to 10 years.

Brush your teeth twice a day. As you age, maintaining good oral hygiene is extremely important. A key part of a good oral hygiene routine is brushing your teeth twice a day. This step helps remove food particles and bacteria that cause tooth decay.

• Your teeth may become more sensitive as you get older. You can reduce tooth sensitivity by using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.

Floss your teeth daily. In addition to brushing, it’s essential to clean between your teeth, something a toothbrush alone can’t effectively do. You should use dental floss or a flossing tool.

• If you don’t floss, plaque, food, and bacteria can accumulate between your teeth.
• Be careful when flossing along the gum line to avoid injuring your gums, especially if you're taking medication that makes you prone to bleeding.

Ensure you're getting enough fluoride. Adequate fluoride intake becomes more important as you age because it helps protect your teeth from wear over time. For older adults, protecting the sensitive area of the teeth beneath the gums is especially crucial, as gums tend to recede with age.

• You can get fluoride from fluoride toothpaste, fluoride mouthwash, or fluoride-treated water commonly available in stores and supermarkets.

Clean your dentures. If you wear full or partial dentures, it’s important to keep them clean. Remove your dentures at night, thoroughly clean them, and soak and rinse them before putting them back in your mouth.

• When you first get dentures, your dentist will show you how to clean them properly. The process usually involves soaking them overnight and brushing them with a denture cleaning solution.
• You should also clean the inside of your mouth after removing your dentures. Be sure to brush your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth.

Avoid smoking. Smoking can cause significant damage to your teeth over time. If you smoke, you are at a higher risk for gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss, along with many other health issues.

• Talk to your doctor about available smoking cessation programs to help you quit. It’s never too late to stop smoking.

Be gentle with your teeth. To keep your teeth healthy for a long time, avoid chewing or biting down on hard foods like ice cubes. Biting down on hard foods can break or crack your teeth, causing damage that requires dental restoration.

• If you crack a tooth, see your dentist immediately. A cracked tooth can lead to cavities. The dentist can help protect and restore any cracked teeth.

Avoid beverages harmful to your teeth. Carbonated or acidic drinks, such as soda or fruit juices, can erode tooth enamel. Additionally, alcoholic beverages can also be damaging to your teeth. If you're concerned about your dental health, it's best to avoid these drinks whenever possible.

• If you really want to consume a drink that could harm your teeth, consider using a straw. This will help prevent the liquid from coming into contact with your front teeth, minimizing potential damage.