Published: 09/24/2024
As we get older, how we prioritize healthcare can become more complicated. From ensuring our hearts are healthy to cancer screenings to eye appointments to skin checks… it can be challenging to stay on top of all of it. And often, dental health can be overlooked or even ignored. Yet, as we get older, oral health is as important as ever before, so it’s important to help simplify dental care tips for seniors.
Whether you’re already consistent with your dental care or are looking for easy ways you can step up your dental routine, taking care of your teeth and gums isn’t just important for a healthy smile. It’s essential for your overall health and well-being. Dental health can impact your risk of heart disease or stroke. It can also help people better manage diabetes. Keeping the mouth clean and removing harmful bacteria may even help prevent respiratory infections like pneumonia.
Today, we’ll take a look at some practical, easy-to-apply dental care tips for seniors to keep your smile looking strong and bright.
Why Dental Care Becomes More Important as We Age
Dental care doesn’t just impact the teeth and mouth. It’s connected to numerous other aspects of health. That starts with gum health. Gums can become more fragile as we age, and gum disease (or periodontitis) becomes more common. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and even an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
In addition, a healthy set of teeth is vital for allowing us to eat what we want and enjoy the benefits of a well-balanced diet. When your teeth are in good shape, it’s easier to crunch down on healthy vegetables and fruits, fully chew quality proteins, and mash-up whole grains. Chewing food completely is an essential first step for healthy digestion.
Growing research is also demonstrating a strong connection between oral health and cognitive functioning. That is, ensuring we maintain good oral hygiene can help keep the brain sharp as we get older.
All of this adds up to an improved overall quality of life. Dental health isn’t just about avoiding a toothache or health complications. A healthy smile can also boost confidence, so you enjoy social activities, which can boost overall happiness and give you more reasons to smile.
Basic Dental Care Tips for Seniors
Often, going back to the basics can make the biggest difference. A solid dental foundation starts with making sure you brush your teeth twice daily. Start with a soft brush and high-quality toothpaste to keep your teeth clean while protecting sensitive gums. When you brush, remember to be gentle, especially as your gums become more sensitive with age.
If it is difficult to brush, an electric toothbrush can be a great tool. It can take less effort to thoroughly clean the teeth and make it easier to stick with your brushing routine.
While fluoride toothpastes have a long history of helping prevent cavities, some seniors may find that fluoride toothpastes can increase sensitivity. In that case, you may want to consider toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite, which may help reduce sensitivity as it strengthens enamel. It can also help make the teeth naturally whiter without the harshness common with traditional whitening agents.
If you aren’t already flossing regularly, it’s time to make it a habit. Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque that can’t be reached by brushing alone. However, as we age, we can also experience issues with hand mobility. If that’s the case, you can also choose to use floss picks or a water flosser to get to those more difficult-to-reach places.
Finally, it’s important to schedule regular cleanings and checkups with your dental team. Not only can they remove plaque and watch for tooth decay, but they can also check for early signs of oral cancers. As we age, the risk of cancer increases, which is another good reason to keep your dental appointments.
Surprising Dental Care Tips for Seniors
Okay, now that you’ve got the basics down, there are some more specific dental care tips for seniors to help you navigate the unique oral challenges that come with age.
The first is to stay hydrated. Dry mouth is common as we get older, often due to some medications. Medications may lead to not only dry mouth but also to swelling and other oral health issues. Sipping water throughout the day can really make a big difference. And it’s especially important after meals, as it can help wash away food particles that could otherwise lead to plaque buildup.
It may also help to chew on sugar-free gum to help stimulate saliva production, which can help protect the teeth from decay. If you are noticing your medications affecting your oral health, speak with your dental team. They may have suggestions or solutions to help make your mouth feel more comfortable.
Finally, we’re learning more about the importance of probiotics, not just in the gut but in the mouth. There’s promising research suggesting oral probiotics may help promote the healthy bacteria in the mouth to potentially reduce bad breath, improve gut health, and perhaps prevent infections.
Make Dental Care a Priority at Every Age
Your teeth are with you for life, and taking care of them is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. By sticking with consistent oral care, including regular dental visits, your healthy smile will be with you years into the future.
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