Losing your teeth is not inevitable with age. With proper care, you can keep your natural teeth well into your retirement years. Skilled dentistry at our Dallas office can also help you ensure that you keep your teeth.
Caring for Your Teeth as You Age
As you get older, it remains important to brush and floss your teeth regularly. Regular visits to your dentist are also vital to ensure your teeth and gums are in the best possible health. Aging can lead to a less efficient immune system, which means that gum disease could progress more rapidly. In addition, infections in the gums, especially serious periodontal disease, have been shown to be related to systemic problems such as heart disease. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy, in turn, helps keep the rest of your body healthy and strong.
Some older people find that discomfort in the mouth makes it difficult to eat, which can lead to malnutrition. Missing teeth can also make it difficult to eat healthy foods. If you take care of your teeth through regular everyday care and regular visits to the dentist, you will be less likely to suffer from discomfort and much less likely to lose your teeth.
Challenges of Dental Care as You Grow Older
As you grow older, you might find it more difficult to maneuver dental floss between your teeth, or to exert sufficient pressure with a toothbrush to ensure thorough cleaning. If you are experiencing difficulty using your everyday dental hygiene tools, consult with your dentist.
Several options are available for older patients who have difficulty using toothbrushes or standard floss. Special holders that are pre-threaded with lengths of floss make it much easier to maneuver the floss between your teeth. Toothbrushes with larger, more easily grasped handles also make it easier to keep the toothbrush in the correct position relative to your teeth and to exert sufficient pressure to remove plaque.
To find out more about how to keep your teeth healthy, and for help with any difficulties you might be having with your daily oral hygiene routine, please contact us to make an appointment today.
