Oral Health Care Habits for the Elderly
A healthy mouth at an old age can provide lasting benefits in all aspects of your life. Healthy teeth can make your smile look better, feel better, and even perform better. Never give up on your oral health care, because as our teeth and gums age and decline, your oral care begins to matter the most.
Oral health care habits for the elderly are just as important, if no more so, than oral health care habits for every other age group in life. Consider the following:
TRUE or FALSE: Medications can cause cavities.
– This is true. Medications can often promote dry mouth symptoms, which are common sources of cavities as we age.
What is considered mandatory care for dentures?
– Always remove your dentures before resting, and after every meal for cleaning. Before inserting a pair of dentures back in your mouth, verify that your mouth is clean and that your dentures are washed with water if they have been soaked in a denture cleanser.
Which bad habits need to disappear?
– If at all possible, you should stop all bad habits, hence the word bad. However, some are worse than others. If you smoke or chew tobacco, or consume too much alcohol, no matter what age you are, you should quit immediately as they increase your risk for tooth decay, gum disease, cancer, and even death.
What habits can keep your teeth healthy as you age?
– To increase the longevity of your smile, always brush twice every day using soft bristles, and floss at least once daily. Maintain a healthy and safe diet to ensure various foods can’t hurt your teeth and gums.
If you think your teeth could use a little extra work and would like to have a professional exam from our team at Wynatte Chu, DDS, simply book an appointment at our dentist office in New York, New York, by calling us at 347-868-6546. Dr. Wynatte Chu and the rest of our team would be glad to take care of any oral health care needs you may have. Take the time to protect your teeth today!