Avoiding problems like gingivitis and tooth loss can help protect against other serious health problems.
Eyes may be the gateway to your soul, but oral health is a window to overall health. “Good dental health not only protects against gum disease, gum inflammation, and tooth loss, but it can also protect against many other age-related diseases,” says Dr. Len Brennan of Harvard Dental School. “A healthy mouth can actually lead to a healthier body.”
A healthy smile
Poor oral health can have serious consequences. Research has shown that inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) increases the risk of lung disease, heart disease, blocked blood vessels and strokes.
Tooth loss from gum disease (periodontitis) can increase the risk of dementia. In the October 2021 issue of JAMDA: The Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicineresearchers reviewed 14 studies and found that seniors who had lost more than one tooth had a nearly 50% higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and a 28% higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia.
Poor dental health can also affect your social life. “Insecurities about your smile can make you feel less attractive and less likely to socialize, which can increase isolation,” says Dr. Brennan.
Improve sensitive teeth and dry mouth
Two common dental problems that many seniors face are sensitive teeth and dry mouth. Tooth sensitivity often occurs when eating or drinking hot or cold food. A typical cause is receding gums, which exposes more of a tooth’s root. Grinding your teeth while you sleep can also cause sensitivity, so you may need to use a mouth guard at night. Dry mouth means you produce less saliva, which makes it difficult to taste, chew, swallow, and even speak. Dry mouth is also a common side effect of many medications and is linked to health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s and autoimmune diseases. Because both sensitive teeth and dry mouth have many different causes, consult your dentist to find the source of your problem.
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Rinse, brush, floss
Like other aspects of health care, prevention is the best medicine when it comes to your teeth and gums. “Investing in proper dental care and maintenance is relatively inexpensive,” says Dr. Brennan. “Dental treatments are where they can be expensive.”
He recommends seeing your dentist every six months for exams, x-rays as needed, and cleanings. In between, you should follow a daily dental hygiene routine to reduce plaque build-up, gingivitis and tooth decay. There are three basic steps: rinsing, brushing and flossing.
Washing. Before brushing, rinse with plain water to remove food particles. After brushing, you can rinse again with an alcohol-free mouthwash with fluoride, which can help protect against tooth decay. Some products can reduce tooth sensitivity. Ask your pharmacist for a suggestion. If you have trouble controlling plaque, gingivitis, bad breath, or dry mouth, talk to your dentist about a therapeutic mouthwash.
Brushing. Brush at least twice a day for no less than two minutes each time. Choose a toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance, which verifies that it contains fluoride that fights tooth decay and plaque. Toothpastes are available in gel, paste or powder form. While the ingredients may vary slightly, all toothpastes contain the same general ingredients: mild abrasives, humectants, fragrances, thickeners, and detergents.
Some brands also contain other ingredients that may reduce tooth sensitivity or tartar build-up, prevent enamel erosion, or whiten teeth. Ask your dentist for a recommendation on these specific topics.
“Natural” toothpastes are also popular, but again, look for the ADA seal. Of course it means that some ingredients are omitted, such as artificial flavors, colors, preservatives and sweeteners. It also means that some active ingredients that help with cleansing come from plant sources.
Choose a brush with soft or extra soft bristles. Replace toothbrushes every three to four months, or more often if the bristles are visibly tangled or worn.
When brushing, tilt the brush at a 45° angle. Starting with the upper teeth, make several short strokes up and down from the gum line to the bottom of the tooth. Do one tooth at a time before moving on to the next. To clean the inner surfaces of the front teeth, hold the brush vertically and make several up-and-down movements. Repeat the process for the lower teeth.
If you have arthritis that makes it difficult to brush or hold a toothbrush, or if it’s difficult to reach the back teeth, invest in grip aids that slip over the handle of your brush. Another option is an electric toothbrush. You can get more strokes from the vibrations of the brush than from the movement of your hand. Some brands have timers that tell you when you’ve brushed enough.
thread. It doesn’t matter if you floss before or after brushing, according to Dr. Brennan. “But also try to floss more than once a day if possible, preferably after a meal to reduce the build-up of bacteria in the mouth.”
You can use either waxed or unwaxed thread. People with particularly tight teeth may find waxed floss easier to use, but both types work the same.
Wrap the floss around your middle fingers, which helps you reach the back teeth. Wrap the floss around each tooth so it makes a C shape. Starting at the gum line, slide it up and down the tooth several times. Avoid simply moving the thread back and forth in a sawing motion. Not only do you miss cleaning the entire tooth, but the friction can irritate the gums.
“Bleeding gums doesn’t mean you have to stop flossing,” says Dr. Brennan. “Instead, just be nicer in that area.”
If traditional flossing is difficult, you can try over-the-counter tools such as dental picks, dental picks, tiny interdental brushes (which are especially useful for getting under crowns and bridges), and water flossing.
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