Aging can come with many changes to your body. But that does not mean that you have to let your beautiful, bright smile diminish. With help from your dentist, you can maintain a healthy, stunning smile as you grow older.
Effects of Aging on Your Oral Health
Aging may introduce an increased danger of certain dental problems. But your dentist can help you counteract these threats with good preventative dental care. Read on to learn about some of the effects that aging can have on your dental health as well as to find some advice in keeping your smile looking and feeling its best while you age.
Oral Health Risks You May Notice as You Age
Aging can affect your oral health in numerous ways, including increasing your risk for many dental conditions. As you age, your dental structure may weaken due to enamel erosion, for instance. The enamel refers to the outer layer of your teeth that serves to shield the more vulnerable interior of your teeth.
Though durable, enamel can wear down over time, sometimes due to poor oral habits, but sometimes also because of natural causes like aging. Once gone, lost enamel will not regrow, and this can leave your smile susceptible to tooth decay and other dental dangers.
Plus, senior dental patients can also face a greater risk of dry mouth. Medication side effects and hormonal changes may mean you produce less saliva. The resulting dry mouth allows natural oral bacteria to spread more easily.
Then excess bacteria can penetrate your teeth to give you cavities. Bacteria may also spread to your gums and infect them, giving you gum disease. Tooth decay and gum disease will create further damage to the look and feel of your smile.
You can work with your dentist to reduce the chances of contracting these problems despite potential increased dangers due to aging. Then you can preserve your beautiful, healthy smile.
How to Maintain Good Oral Health
You can fight cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues when you maintain good oral habits. Proper oral hygiene will protect your smile, even in the wake of risk factors like aging.
Adhere to a consistent oral hygiene routine at home to maximize preventive dental care. This means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing each day. Ask your dentist about optimal oral hygiene tools that can benefit senior-aged patients.
Good oral hygiene will also involve attending regular dental check-ups and teeth cleanings at your dentist’s office. The dentist must complete professional cleaning to remove plaque and other residues that a toothbrush alone cannot reach. Otherwise, these lingering particles will further weaken your teeth and increase your risk of cosmetic and structural dental damage.
Sometimes, senior patients may need to schedule these appointments more often due to the increased risk of dental erosion and oral infections. Give your dentist a call to book a consultation and get the preventive oral health care that you need to protect your smile.