No matter your age, proper dental and oral hygiene is key to our health and wellness. However, as we age, we may need to make some changes in the way we care for our teeth and gums and those of our elderly loved ones.
The Basics
The actions of brushing and flossing have become part of our everyday routine and should continue well into our senior years. Whether with natural teeth or dentures, brushing and cleaning your teeth is critical to maintaining that bright smile and removing any plaque that may cause gum disease and decay. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day to remove plaque and bacteria from places your toothbrush can't reach.
Visits to the Dentist
Getting regular check-ups helps your dentist look for any gum disease, cavities, loose fillings, broken teeth, infection, cancer and signs of other problems that could affect your general health. They can view a number of areas that you can miss while brushing and flossing and identify any small problems before they get worse. Dentists and Dental Hygienists can provide a variety of options for dental and mouth care you may need. If you have dentures or dental implants, they should be checked by a dentist to ensure their proper functioning and health.
Dry mouth
A dry mouth is not a normal part of ageing. However, it is a side-effect in more than 500 medications, including those for allergies or asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, anxiety or depression, and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. This is just one reason why it’s so important to tell your dentist about any medications that you’re taking.
Denture Care
According to the Candian Dental Association, you need to care for complete and partial dentures as carefully as you would look after natural teeth. here is what they recommend:
Clean them every day. Plaque and tartar can build up on false teeth, just like they do on natural teeth.
Take them out every night. Brush your teeth and gums carefully, using a soft toothbrush. Be sure to clean and massage your gums. If your toothbrush hurts you, run it under warm water to make it softer OR try using a finger wrapped in a clean, damp cloth.
Soak them overnight. They can be soaked in a special cleaner for false teeth (denture cleanser), in warm water or in a mix of warm water and vinegar (half and half). If your denture has metal clasps, use warm water only for soaking. Soaking will loosen plaque and tartar. They will then come off more easily when you brush.
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