How Elderly People Can Maintain Good Oral Health at Home

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One teaching that is drilled into us from a young age is the importance of looking after our teeth, gums, and mouth throughout our lives. Typically, we begin this education at a young age and develop a healthy habit of brushing and flossing to keep our teeth healthy, white, and free from common dental problems.

As we grow older, maintaining good oral health should remain one of our top priorities since older adults are more susceptible to problems with their teeth, with eight out of ten older adults suffering from moderate to severe gum problems in the United Kingdom.

Elderly dental care specialises in the care of ageing teeth and gums, the effect of habits like smoking, excessive drinking etc., and looking after mouthguards, dentures, and other oral appliances. Failure to adhere to a strict oral routine can cause tooth care to become much more challenging later, with more supervision and oversight. To prevent this in later life, senior citizens must maintain good oral health at home; to help, we list several ways of doing so down below:

Look After Your Mouthguard, Dentures, And Other Oral Appliances

Unfortunately, getting old often includes the use of mouthguards, dentures, and other oral appliances, and when you’re using this equipment, it’s essential that you look after it. When you get your dental device, whether it be dentures, mouthguards etc., your dentist will give you strict instructions to follow to ensure their longevity.

They will also be able to resolve any problems you might have with the appliance, such as discomfort, pain, or other troubles. It is also recommended that older adults who use dentures schedule regular dental checks with providers like Cheriton Dental Practice so that the soft tissues inside your mouth can be checked for any sores or abnormalities.

As well as specialising in elderly dental care, they offer a range of treatment options ranging from dentures to dental implants and much more. Consider visiting their website for success stories, patient testimonials, and more, or contact them directly for specific inquiries.

Brush Your Teeth Daily

We often hear from health professionals that we need to brush our teeth one in the morning and once at night, with an advisory of brushing in-between mealtimes. Although brushing your teeth twice a day should be a regular habit for most seniors, it is essential for those striving to improve their oral hygiene.

Don’t forget to brush for two minutes at a time with a toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your dentist whether you should use a stiff or soft-bristled brush to clean your teeth. You might even find that they recommend purchasing an electric toothbrush since they can drastically improve your brushing techniques.

Increase Your Water Intake

As you age, you are more likely to take medication for one reason or another, some of which can cause side effects such as dry mouth, which can cause enamel erosion. To prevent this, you could consider consulting with your doctor and asking for a different medication or increasing your water intake.

Generally, adults should aim to drink six to eight glasses of water daily, which is essential for their overall health. Although the exact amount of water you require each day can fluctuate depending on your body weight, energy output, climate, and other factors.