One of the scariest things to deal with as you age is tooth loss. Losing teeth as a child is expected but the next time you expect to lose them is in your senior years – not before then! The thing is, it does happen and while more and more people are keeping their natural teeth as they age, it can happen to anyone if they don’t look after their teeth.
Growing old doesn’t mean you have to lose your teeth, especially when there are so many advances in dental care today that matter. If you are wondering how many teeth does an adult have, well most of the adults have 32 teeth. Growing old does mean that you have to pay extra special attention to those teeth, though! If you deal with a cracked tooth, going to the dentist as soon as possible will help you to ensure that you avoid losing it later. If you have toothache, getting the right medicine now is better than a deterioration that you can’t control. Below, we’ve got five great ways that you can care for your teeth as you age – so you can keep them for longer.
- Look after your gums. Your teeth need your jaw to be as sturdy as possible to keep your teeth in one place. Healthy gums will help to do that and one of the main reasons for losing teeth is gum disease. This affects the gums and deteriorates the jaw bones. Receding gums is common as you get older but it’s not just age-related; it’s often because of lack of care for those gums. Ask your dental health professional to help you to learn how to best take care of your gums.
- Brush and floss regularly. The basics are always the best way to do things and brushing and flossing are as basic as it gets! As you get older, you need to ensure that you are brushing with an electric toothbrush twice a day and flossing between meals will ensure the health of your teeth.
- Go to the dentist! If you need a proper deep cleaning in your mouth, go to the dentist and make sure that you have an appointment booked with the hygienist. You should be having checkups every six months and so it’s important that you keep on top of these. If you’re currently searching for one, try this dependable cosmetic dentist in decatur.
- Maintain the work you’ve had. Whether you have dentures or implants, veneers or braces, you need to maintain the dental work you’ve had to keep your teeth comfortable and safe for as long as possible. Maintain this because dentistry is a field that is continuing to grow and you could benefit from extra care.
- Eat better. One of the best ways to maintain your teeth is with a healthy diet. Fewer sweets and artificial sugars and less soda will always help your teeth to thrive. You’re getting older which means that you need to pay attention to your health as much as possible and your oral and dental health are a big part of that. Take your time to cultivate a healthy diet and your teeth will thank you for it later.
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.