Maintaining good oral hygiene is important throughout your life. In childhood, we usually develop habits such as regular teeth brushing and flossing in order to prevent dental problems. When we are young, we can sometimes allow ourselves to skip flossing or teeth brushing. Still, as you grow older, changes occur in your whole body and the mouth is not an exception. The risk of gum disease or cavities is a lot higher now and is usually accompanied by some chronic conditions. Good senior dental care can prevent most of these problems and help you maintain that lovely smile of yours.  In this article, we have listed why it’s important to maintain a stable dental care regimen now when you’re a senior and why you shouldn’t skip regular dental appointments

Brush your teeth regularly

Although brushing your teeth is one of the most basic dental habits, it is usually one of the most neglected ones. Brushing your teeth in the morning and before you go to sleep is an absolute necessity. Moreover, many dentists recommend that you brush your teeth after every meal. Regardless of how many times you brush your teeth, make sure you take proper care of them and your gums. Always use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. If you didn’t develop a good brushing technique, you can opt for an electric toothbrush. It can reach areas between the teeth better than a regular toothbrush, and it is easier to use, especially for people with arthritis.

Don’t forget to floss

Flossing is another habit everyone should have. It eliminates plaque and remnants of food from between the teeth. By flossing and brushing regularly, you keep your gums and teeth healthy, reducing the chances of bleeding, cavities, and bad breath. To maximize the bacteria-reducing effect, you can rinse your mouth with mouthwash afterwards. If you have dentures, clean them thoroughly every day. Neglecting your oral hygiene can potentially lead to periodontitis, and your teeth may fall out. There is no reason not to rock a smile of your own pearly whites as a senior, so don’t give up on them.

Quit smoking

The percentage of people who smoke goes up to almost 50% in some nations around the world. Smoking is a serious addiction and a health hazard, and smokers can suffer a wide variety of consequences. Chewing tobacco not only causes teeth discolorations and cavities but also causes oral cancer. If you want to get rid of teeth discolorations check out these natural teeth whitening products. Smoking cigarettes also causes some types of cancer and weakens the heart, lungs, kidneys, etc. Smoking cessation is a must if you care about your dental and overall health. It is never too late to stop. Once the tobacco is out of your life, your teeth and gums can be kept cleaner and healthier than before.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking enough water is often recommended as one of the easiest and most important measures you can take to keep your body healthy and young. Water is essential for the good metabolism and elimination of its harmful byproducts. It is no less important to your teeth. Saliva contains certain molecules that reduce bacterial buildup and keep the teeth enamel from eroding. Symptoms of dry mouth include sores around the lips, difficulty swallowing and talking, and bad breath. If you noticed any of this, make sure you stay hydrated. By doing so, you will help reduce the chance of plaque and cavities. Saliva is important for washing down bacteria or straight up killing them.

Pay a visit to the dentist

It is recommended to schedule regular dental appointments every six months. The dentist will do a thorough examination of your teeth and gums and can treat a dental issue before it becomes severe. Your dentist can give you advice on how to properly maintain good oral hygiene and take care of your oral appliances. Some chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure affect your teeth as well, and if you suffer from these conditions, regular dental check-ups are a must. Don’t forget, even if you don’t have a toothache that doesn’t mean that you can skip a visit to the dentist. For example, some dental infections are quite painless until they become severe. Also, keep in mind that some dentists are more experienced working with older adults than others. In a specialised dental lab, with the latest technology, you can get even the most difficult dental problems successfully treated.

Reduce sugar consumption

Things we were taught as children are still valid late in our adulthood. Unsurprisingly, controlling our sugar intake is as important as ever, even more so when we are old. Eating too much sugar is bad for you for many reasons. It elevates sugar levels in your blood and can cause diabetes and hypertension. Eating food rich in monosaccharides like glucose is bad for your teeth, as it is quickly and easily dissolved in saliva and degraded by bacteria. This raises the acidity in your mouth and allows plaque to form, which can damage enamel and cause cavities. To prevent this, make sure to reduce the consumption of sugary foods, and brush your teeth after eating as soon as possible.

Increase calcium intake

Calcium plays an important role in maintaining a healthy mouth.  It helps strengthen the outer shell of your teeth called enamel, which is your teeth’s defense against cavities and gum disease. As we grow older, we need to increase our calcium intake to minimize the risk of osteoporosis. This is a condition that causes bones in the whole body to weaken over time and puts you at a greater risk of losing teeth. It is wrongly assumed that losing your teeth is a part of the natural aging process and that you shouldn’t be concerned about it.  Loss of teeth can seriously affect your ability to eat food and can cause you great discomfort.  Luckily, you can prevent this by changing your dietary habits. There are various dietary sources of calcium such as soy milk, dark green, leafy vegetables, orange juice and multiple dairy products including milk, cheese and yogurt.