Dental Healthcare For Seniors

Taking care of your teethBest affordable dentist in Anoka MN

With the correct dental healthcare, you can keep your smile well into your retirement years. Brushing teeth at the very least two times per day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride, and using a brush with soft-bristles are essential, especially at this time of life. Flossing will allow you to conserve your smile, keeping teeth healthy by getting rid of plaque in the spaces in between teeth and underneath the gums that your toothbrush does not reach.

Potential dental problems

One problem to watch for is Gingivitis. Many individuals don’t understand exactly how crucial proper gum care can be. Gingivitis is triggered by bacteria growing, in the plaque, and assaulting gums. Some of the warning signs of gingivitis are reddened, inflamed or swollen gums and increased bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. If any of these signs appear, see a dentist as soon as possible. If left to persist, Gingivitis can turn into gum disease. 3 out of 4 people over 35 years old have some form of the periodontal condition. When it turns into gum disease, you have a much more extreme infection in the gums. The gum tissue starts to recede and pulls back from the teeth. In severe instances, the bacteria create pockets between the gums and the teeth, causing the bone to weaken. Eventually, this can result in loss of tooth if not treated. Patients with osteoporosis are at even greater risk. If conditions make it difficult to do regular dental healthcare, your dentist can give you options to help in flossing and prescribe medicines to help keep the illness or infection from worsening.

If brushing is difficult

For those who have joint disease, like arthritis, you will probably find it hard to keep up brushing and flossing of your teeth to ensure healthy teeth and prevent gum disease. You can request from your dentist aids that will help you overcome these difficulties. There are dental products available that were created to help those who suffer from arthritis keep up regular dental healthcare and attention with less pain. One solution is to strap the toothbrush to a bigger object, like a ball, making the toothbrush easier to hold.  Electric toothbrushes can be used, which do the up and down movement for you.

Signs of oral cancer

Individuals over 40 years of age are more at risk of getting oral cancer. If you notice any white or red-colored spots on your tongue or gums, go to a dentist right away. Also keep an eye out for sores that take a long time to heal, two weeks or more. It is difficult to identify or catch oral cancer early on when it is more easily treatable. See your dentist regularly and have him do a neck and head examination that allows him to detect indications of cancer. Oral cancer causes no pain in the early stages, causing patients to not see the signs until too late. Also, elderly patients, particularly denture wearers, don’t see the dentist often enough, allowing cancer to go undetected.

Concerns of dry mouth

Xerostomia or dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands fail to function because of disease, side effects from medications, and cancer treatments. Dry mouth can make it difficult to swallow, eat, taste or talk. In some situations, such as when you are undergoing therapy using radiation, dry mouth can result in serious problems, so it is vital to see your dentist right away before you start any type of treatment for cancer. Consuming lots of water, and staying away from sweets, smoking, liquor and drinks with caffeine are all important to combat dry lips. You can also get a prescription from your dentist for medications to reduce severe dry mouth.

Maintaining general health

Research reports have found that keeping a healthy mouth makes the rest of your body healthier, and can help you prevent diabetes and heart trouble. The simplest way to attain great dental healthcare is to see your dentist and get professional dental cleanings minimally every six months.