Protect Your Teeth As You Age

Aging affects your entire body including your teeth. As you age, your natural tooth enamel breaks down causing your teeth to become thinner and more fragile. The possibility of tooth loss is much greater than in your younger years. With age, good dental care and oral hygiene becomes very important to prevent a variety of senior oral health problems.

Common Dental Problems For Seniors

Good dental care should include brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day, and regular dental checkups and cleanings. By following these simple rules, you can protect your teeth from potential oral health problems and tooth loss. According to Senior Living, many seniors face lifestyle challenges with proper nutrition, medications, diseases, dentures and oral hygiene that contribute to a variety of oral health problems.

• Dry Mouth – Dry mouth, a common senior problem, can be caused by illness and certain medications, and it can damage your teeth if not treated.
• Root Decay – As you age, your gums often recede leaving your teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay and sensitivity.
• Gum Disease – Many seniors have problems with gum disease, often caused by plaque from poor oral hygiene. It’s also aggravated by disease, poor nutrition and poor-fitting dentures.
• Tooth Loss – Gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss. When missing teeth aren’t replaced, other teeth can shift into open spaces causing an uneven jaw bone.
• Sensory Loss – Increasing age combined with disease and illness, medications and dentures often decrease the sense of taste for many seniors.

Protect your teeth as you age with proper dental care. If you experience dental pain, gum disease or tooth loss, seek an emergency dentist Scarborough for immediate treatment.