Taking care of your oral health is important at every age of life, but when you enter your senior years there are things you should be mindful of.
Dry Mouth
If you are fortunate enough to not have to take any medications as you get older, you may not experience dry mouth. But for a vast majority of seniors, the regimen of medication may be enough to dry out any saliva production. This is not good because saliva acts as a natural rinse for your mouth, clearing particles and leftover remnants that can attribute to other oral issues.
- Drink more water
- Invest in throat and mouth spray
- Lozenges and sugar free gum
- Try to change medications
- Avoid beverages such as coffee, alcohol, acidic or carbonated drinks, as they irritate dry mouth.
Cavities
As you age you may have to get old fillings replaced after years of wear. Not only that, if you have recession of the gums, you may be exposing roots. These roots can be impacted by plaque attacks and develop into gum disease – causing recession and decay and there you have unwanted cavities.
Oral Cancer
At every regular dental appointment, your provider should perform an exam of the entire mouth, lips, and teeth for any symptoms of oral cancer. Persistent mouth pain or sores could be an indicator of something more serious, see your dentist if you are experiencing this.
Losing Your Teeth
Tooth loss becomes more common as we age, whether it’s from an accident or the aging gum line. We can prevent further tooth loss by working with a professional and utilizing different methods including dental implants, partial or full dentures, bridges, and more.
Decrease your chances of oral cancer by flossing and brushing your teeth regularly with 6-month checkups with your dentist. Quit smoking, chewing tobacco and reduce your alcohol intake to create a healthy mouth for years to come.