Oral Hygiene As We Age
Good oral health is essential at any age. As we age, though, it becomes even more critical. The following statistic says it all. Nearly 25 percent of the people in the United States over the age of 60 no longer have any of their natural teeth remaining, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Why is Oral Health So Important Among the Aging Population?
Good oral hygiene leads to good dental health. Unfortunately, many busy people neglect good oral care, while others lose sight of their dental care needs as they approach or enter into retirement. Some only visit their dentist after dental problems cause significant pain, require extensive dental procedures, or involve tooth loss.
Poor oral hygiene affects more than the beauty of your smile as you age. It affects your ability to eat a nutritious diet and properly chew (and digest) food. It can lead to bone loss, and eventually even lead to tooth loss.
How Do You Practice Good Oral Hygiene?
We all know that prevention is the best cure, but many people have never been properly educated on good oral health and hygiene practices. Your best first step is a visit to the dentist – no matter how long it has been.
Then, you need to make a commitment for regular dentists visits. This is necessary for many reasons, though these are some of the top benefits of regularly seeing your dentist.
- Prevents tooth and gum disease.
- Reduces the need for more costly dental work in the future.
- Catches early signs of disease, including oral cancer.
- Reduces pain.
- Extends tooth health.
- Improves dental health overall.
- Maintains the health and beauty of your smile.
Your dentist can also instruct you on important issues that are specific to your smile, such as how best to brush and care for your teeth as you grow older.
Maintaining a Healthy Smile
There are several things you can do to help maintain a healthy, beautiful smile – at any age. Begin with daily dental care, and commit to regular checkups. Next, address your diet. The foods you eat and beverages you drink have a significant impact on your smile’s health. Therefore, be sure to limit your intake of sugary foods and beverages that can damage tooth enamel.
Oral hygiene as you age is an important part of an active, healthy lifestyle. There’s nothing that says you must sacrifice a beautiful smile simply because you’re aging.
Book an appointment with Stefanie Shore, DDS today to learn the specific steps you need to take to boost the health of your smile today and the years ahead.