My family's dental health is important to me. Unfortunately for me, it is not as important to my little ones. Getting my kids to brush and floss on a daily basis is almost like taking on an obstacle course. I talked to my family's dentist about different methods I could try to encourage them to brush and floss on a regular basis. Some of the tricks worked, some did not. After some experimentation and talking to other parents, I was able to come up with a lot of great tips for helping kids care for their teeth. I started this blog to help other parents get creative when it comes to their kids and dental care.
Bella Snyder
Even with declines brought about by the pandemic, people are living longer and longer thanks to advances in medical and exercise science, nutrition, and more. As you age, it's not inevitable that your dental health should decline any more than any other part of your body. However, aging bodies are different and your dental health needs probably are too. Read on for some tips on staying healthy as far as your dental status goes.
Dry Mouth: More than Just Uncomfortable
Aging can affect saliva production, leaving older people with dry mouths. Certain common medications seniors need can also lead to a lack of saliva and alternatives to those drugs may not always be available. It's not just about having a cottonmouth (and the bad breath that comes along with it) all the time, though. Saliva acts as a cleansing agent for the mouth, washing bacteria, food particles, and other harmful substances away. Those with a dry mouth could be vulnerable to more gum infections, cavities, abscesses, and more. More than just a few more ounces of water is needed so look for over-the-counter mouth rinses and gum to counter the lack of moisture in your mouth.
Mouth Cancer: Survivable if Caught Early
Slow-growing cancers like oropharyngeal cancer can often be caught and dealt with early enough that they are not fatal. However, diagnosing this type of cancer is challenging. The good news is that dentists and dental hygienists are experts at spotting the subtle signs of this type of cancer, such as tiny nodules on the inside of your jaw. That means that detection of oral cancers is as easy as keeping your usual cleaning and check-up appointment at your dentist's office.
Missing Teeth: You Don't Have to Live With it
This is no time to hide away because of missing teeth. Embarrassing gaps in your smile are easier than ever to cope with thanks to advances in implants and dentures. Using implants and dentures together, in fact, is one of the latest ways to provide a worry-free alternative to a total mouth denture. Your dentist uses several implants to anchor a set of dentures or partials. The dentures stay in place and are cleaned by brushing your teeth as usual.
To find out more about any of the above problems that many older dental patients face, speak to your friendly family dentist and learn more about remedying those issues.