As you get older, it becomes even more crucial to take care of your teeth and overall dental health and hygiene. You’re not only at risk of the usual tooth decay and tooth loss risks, but you also have to be mindful of any other conditions such as diabetes.
Therefore, follow these oral health tips to maintain a healthy mouth and continue enjoying your favorite foods.
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Your dental health is not just affected by your oral hygiene habits. Rather, your overall lifestyle can also play a big role in your dental health. That’s why you need to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle, which means no smoking, drinking or excessive intake of sugar. This will not only help prevent any tooth decay but also enhance your overall health.
BRUSHING AND FLOSSING DAILY
One of the most important oral hygiene tips is to brush and floss your teeth every day. In fact, this is so important that it pretty much applies to everyone, regardless of age. Brush your teeth twice a day, after your meals, and then floss to get any remaining bits of food out.
Moreover, you should also consider the type of toothbrush you’re using and how often you change it. If you’re having trouble flossing your teeth, you can talk to your dentist about using a special toothbrush or pick.
DEALING WITH DRY MOUTH
Dry mouth is a common problem among the elderly. It involves not having enough saliva to keep your mouth moist and it can make it hard to swallow or even talk at times. Sometimes, it can also be a side effect of certain medications or health conditions.
Ultimately, persistent dry mouth can lead to tooth infections and other problems. So, whenever you feel a case of dry mouth developing, you shouldn’t ignore it and visit dentists near you right away.