Getting Old and Want to Keep Your Teeth Healthy?

Healthy teeth is one of the most important assets one can have, but we often fail to understand that. Apart from performing the obvious functions, having shiny and healthy teeth can enhance your personality.  Unfortunately, they are easily prone to damage- be it because of infections, sores, gum issues or cavities.

Growing old only worsens these issues. Our teeth are strong, and can bear up to 200 pounds of pressure but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are invincible. As the enamel wears away, so does the sharpness of the edges. Sugar, acidic food, cold drinks and alcohol slowly and eventually lead to the wearing out of the enamel. As a result, cavities arise which would, later on, become breeding grounds for bacteria. This bacteria feeds on the sugar while food gets stuck in the cavities. These cause the gums to swell and create severe health conditions gradually. If you are already suffering severely, then a root canal procedure is the only solution. The only advantage of being old is that the root canal will not be as painful as it is for young patients – thanks to the nerves losing their sensitivity.

Old people are usually susceptible to dental caries around the neck of the tooth. Gum tissues deteriorate with passing age and gets easily exposed to infections and severe bacterial conditions. Also, those who have never used fluoride products before and have instead had fillings would suffer as these fillings eventually rupture or their edges decay with time.

So if you want to keep your teeth healthy, stick to the basics:

1. Brush and floss regularly:

We learn this since we are young, and it remains our primary dicta. If you develop who arthritis and cannot use your hand to brush or floss regularly, then use an electric toothbrush. The fluoride in toothpaste has intrinsic properties which strengthen the enamel and revitalizes the structural strength. Also, regular visits to the dentist are a must.

2. Bleach:

With age, teeth turn yellow. This is because of the yellowing of the dentin that gets exposed through the worn-out enamel. To add to its woes-coffee, tea and tobacco stain the enamel. But whitening is not a major concern anymore. Using a whitening toothpaste is a temporary solution. If you are looking for something more permanent, opt for a dental bleach. Some bleaching agents might not be suitable for your teeth and the type of discoloration is also a factor to consider before deciding on the type to use. Hence talking to a dentist before applying a bleach is necessary.

3. Healthy gums:

Teeth age with time and need a strong support. The structural support of teeth are the gums. But gum diseases usually go undetected and when you are finally aware, the condition has worsened. In certain situations, scaling might be necessary along with consuming antibiotics. Surgery might become inevitable if the damage is too much. Keeping your gums healthy is the key to having strong teeth even at old age.

4. Reducing tobacco usage:

Our immune system also grows weaker when we are nearing old age. The mouth also loses the capacity to replenish itself.  Tobacco, a known cause of oral cavity cancer, can further hamper the organic process of replenishment. Cutting down on tobacco is one of the best ways of countering dental problems at a later age.

Do start taking precautions from today itself.