top of page

How to Maintain Great Oral Health as You Get Older and Why It's so Important

Bridge Street Dental Surgery

Good oral health is important at any age, but it becomes even more crucial as we grow older. Unfortunately as we get older, our teeth and gums become much more susceptible to dental problems, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and dry mouth.





One of the main reasons why keeping on top of your oral health as you age is so important is because it can directly impact your health and wellbeing. Poor dental health has been linked to a range of health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and even dementia!

This is why it's so important to take an active role in maintaining good dental hygiene, such as regular brushing and flossing, a healthy diet and most importantly, visiting the dentist.

Here’s some top tips on what to look out for and what can help, whether for yourself or someone you care for……


Do you suffer with Arthritis?

A lot of us will inevitably suffer with a touch of arthritis as we get older, but this doesn't mean your oral health needs to suffer. If you have begun to develop painful joints, perhaps switching to an electric toothbrush would make it easier for you. Simply charge it up, place it on each tooth and let the brush do the work for you.


Medication Side Effects

You'd be surprised how many routine medications can effect your oral health!. Some can cause dry mouth syndrome which is a very common issue amongst older people. Dry mouth can lead to nasty bouts of tooth decay and gum disease - which we'd all like to avoid! If this is effecting you make sure to book in for regular visits with your dentist, drink plenty of water and try to avoid alcohol and tobacco.


Dementia

We know how difficult every stage of dementia is, and it's not to be overlooked when talking about oral health in older people. Often, with the early stages, a person can completely forget to brush their teeth for days on end. This can very quickly lead to heavy tooth decay and a lot of pain and discomfort for the person. By asking a carer to monitor the oral routine, you can be sure all teeth are in tip top condition. It's also incredibly important for dementia sufferers to continue visiting their dentist for as long as possible.


Loose Teeth?

As we get older, our teeth can become looser as the gums recede. If your teeth have become loose or you've already lost some, that is where dental implants come in! If you would like more information on Dental Implants, contact our friendly team today.


Properly Fitted Dentures

Dentures are a wonderful invention that have allowed so many older people to continue life as normal without their own teeth! But, if those dentures don't fit correctly in their mouth, they can cause painful rubbing, not to mention, a very embarrassing situation of them slipping whilst eating or talking! All this can be fixed by making sure their fit correctly. Again, our friendly team can chat through your options if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.


A Final Word

At the end of the day, our oral health is very important whatever our age, but can be crucial to a healthy, comfortable and longer life in older people. The best way to correct and prevent any issues is to regularly visit your dentist and make sure any mobility issues are addressed with proper toothbrushes to prolong great oral health in older people.

13 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page