Every time you turn on the news, see your news feed, or see your doctor, you are reminded that it is important to maintain good health. Taking care of your oral health is just as important even as we age, perhaps more important due to changing dental issues as we age. For some, they may no longer have their original teeth and now have dentures or partials. For these reasons, it is vital to take proper care of your mouth to avoid future problems.
Dr. Jason Petkevis located in Chester Springs, PA is here to take care of all your dental needs, including those who patients are over the age of 55.
Fluoride Is Still Important for Your Oral Health Over 55
While it is true, fluoride is necessary for children to keep teeth healthy and help prevent decay and cavities, fluoride is still necessary even for older adults. Adults get cavities too! While the reasons why children and adults get cavities may differ, it is still important to include fluoride in your daily routine as a mature adult.
Many companies that offer dental products to consumers are now routinely including fluoride in them. It is still recommended that patients brush and floss twice a day. Many municipal water supplies are now fluorinated so drinking tap water is encouraged. This is another way of protecting our teeth and enamel against decay. Many dentists still recommend fluoride treatments as part of your six month dental check-up.
Watch Out for Dry Mouth
Aging doesn’t necessarily mean we are prone to dry mouth, but some are plagued with chronic conditions as they age and need to take more medications to treat those conditions. Those medications could be the culprit for dry mouth. Saliva is responsible for washing away food in the mouth, helping to prevent tooth decay. Any food particles left behind though, can create a breeding ground for bacteria to form and thus cause dental issues, such as chafing between your dentures and gums.
There is hope if you find yourself suffering from dry mouth by making a few lifestyle changes. Consumers have a choice and products available to them to help with this condition. There are mouthwash and sprays available that contain special mouth moisturizers to help with the problem. Another solution is to chew sugar-free gum. Chewing gum encourages the mouth to produce saliva. Be sure to choose sugar-free gum! And lastly, there are artificial saliva products on the market that mimic real saliva.
Check with Dr. Petkevis for recommendations for your particular situation for additional tips and suggestions. In some cases, a change in your medication may be needed to alleviate the symptoms of dry mouth.
Caring for Your Dentures
As we age, the likelihood that we will lose a tooth increases. Current estimates by dental experts are that 170 million people are missing at least one tooth. Caring for dentures is just as important in caring for your natural teeth. Keep in mind that with dentures, you must maintain them daily using toothpaste that is made for especially dentures.
It is very important to use a soft toothbrush when caring for your dentures. Brushing your dentures and tongue daily helps to remove any food particles and bacteria remaining in your mouth. Also, if you have partials or implants, be sure to floss between the implants prior to reinserting your dentures. If you need assistance in caring for your dentures or implants, please contact Dr. Petkevis or your local dentist. With proper care, your dentures, partials and implants will last a long time.
Don’t Forget about Gum Disease
Gum disease among older adults is still a real concern even if you don’t have all your own teeth. With proper care and regular visits to your dentist, gum disease can be kept at bay or even prevented. Should you see the early signs of gum disease, get to your dentist so it can be treated quickly.
Oral Health Over 55 in Chester Springs, PA
Keeping up with your routine visits to the dentist, practicing good oral hygiene and making the necessary changes to your routine as you age will help to maintain your beautiful smile for many years, no matter what your age.
If you are in the Chester Springs, PA area and are in need of routine or cosmetic dental care, please call 610-400-1459 for an appointment. You can also schedule an appointment online to see Dr. Petkevis in Chester Springs, PA today!