Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums Through the Retirement Years

Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums Through the Retirement Years

older couple touching foreheadsSociety has painted senior citizens with a variety of issues from false teeth and slipping dentures to hearing loss to falling down with the inability to get up. Although some of life’s situations are unavoidable, your dentist can show you the way to a healthy mouth for your lifetime.

As toddlers we are taught to brush our teeth. As we get a little older, we are introduced to flossing our teeth to aid in maintaining healthy gum tissue. Visiting the dentist twice per year for a professional cleaning and exam adds to the preventative steps we can take to enjoy healthy teeth and gums throughout life.

Some aging adults might have to work harder than others due to genetics, trauma or lifestyle habits. But in addition to taking preventative measures as we age, there are other things we can do:

  • Diet – As appetite dwindles, it is critical to make sure the food eaten is nutritious. Fruits, vegetables and healthy snacks are important to getting the essential vitamins and minerals to maintain good health.
  • Lifestyle – Just as adopting good habits will aid in staying healthy, abstaining from those practices that are hazardous to good health must occur. Smoking or tobacco use of any kind, excessive alcohol consumption and overeating unhealthy snacks can result in overall health and dental problems.
  • Good dental decisions – In the event a dental issue occurs, see your dentist and follow the advice given. A lost tooth might not seem that important, but ignoring this condition can lead to uncomfortable and costly results. Or if diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontitis, this should be treated quickly to avoid tooth loss.
  • Healthy body – It is a well-known fact that a healthy body will contribute to good oral health. Sufficient sleep, proper hydration through water consumption, and daily exercise are important to good health.
  • An ounce of prevention – As many senior citizens live on fixed budgets, a dental crisis can have a devastating impact. That is why seeing your dental provider on a regular basis for a professional cleaning and exam will keep plaque build-up at bay and aid in diagnosing potential problems before they escalate into major issues.

As we age, taking care of our mind and bodies should naturally carry over to good dental health, and keeping our own teeth for a lifetime is a very worthwhile goal.

For more information on maintaining your oral health through all seasons of life, contact The Dental Place in Grand Prairie at 972-264-5795 today to schedule a consultation.