As you go through life, your oral health needs change. At Margolian Dentistry, we adapt your preventive dental care plan in Oshawa to accommodate your age and unique oral health requirements.
With a proper preventive dental care plan, we can help you prevent many of the detrimental side effects of aging on your oral health. Your regular dental checkups in Whitby are especially important. These enable our dentists to quickly identify and treat small problems before an issue worsens.
Some of the oral health issues that can affect older adults include:
- Dry mouth, as certain prescription medications can cause this condition.
- Gum disease, which is not treated, can cause other problems like tooth loss. It can even affect overall health.
- Tooth sensitivity can be caused by gum recession or enamel erosion.
- Thrush can be due to certain medications or health problems that cause the overgrowth of Candida albicans in your mouth.
- Tooth loss can cause jawbone changes and affect overall facial structure.
These are all issues that we can help you address or hopefully avoid with ongoing preventive professional dental care. However, in between appointments, follow the tips below to help keep your teeth and gums in good shape.
Brush and Floss Daily
Ensure you brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day. Spend at least two minutes cleaning your teeth thoroughly. If you haven’t already, investing in an electric toothbrush is a great idea. These make it much easier to clean your teeth efficiently and include built-in timers to ensure you brush your teeth for long enough.
Floss daily to remove impacted food and plaque between your teeth, or more frequently if you get food stuck between your teeth after meals. If you find it tricky to use ordinary dental floss, ask us about other tools to try, such as a WaterPik or interdental brushes, which can be simpler to manipulate.
Mouthwash
If you like to use mouthwash, make sure it is antibacterial and preferably contains fluoride. It should also be alcohol-free. Alcohol in a mouthwash can dry out your mouth, worsening problems like dry mouth or xerostomia in Ajax.
Avoid Using Tobacco Products
If you smoke or use tobacco, it’s never too late to quit, and it can greatly help your oral health. Smoking increases the risk of oral cancer or throat cancer and can cause other serious health problems. It also increases the risk of gum disease.
Drink Plenty of Water
Try to get into the habit of drinking plenty of water. It’s the best way to rehydrate, ensuring you can produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist and comfortable. Water helps to wash away excess bacteria and sugars and neutralizes acids in your mouth after eating.
It’s a good idea to avoid drinking sugary pop or fruit juice as these can make your mouth more acidic. The acids weaken your tooth enamel and can cause cavities.
Denture Care
If you currently wear dentures, ensure you clean them properly. They must be thoroughly cleaned daily to remove plaque and food debris and prevent problems like oral thrush or other fungal infections. It’s essential to leave dentures out overnight to give your gums a chance to recover and to get them regularly checked by our dentist.
Wearing dentures can be a struggle for some people, and if this applies to you, ask us about alternatives like dental implants. Treatment can be used to secure loose dentures or to get rid of them altogether and replace them with a fixed prosthesis.
Talk to Us about Your Oral Health Concerns
Please remember that we are always here to help you with oral health concerns and provide useful and practical advice.
