There are some things you don’t get a second chance with and your teeth is one of those precious personal commodities that needs to treated with due respect and diligence, if you don’t want to be parted from them sooner than anticipated.
Here is a look at how to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Including an overview of what happens to your teeth as you get older, plus details of the sort of changes you need to be wary of, and tips on how to counteract the aging process and look keep your smile for as long as possible.
Tooth loss is not inevitable
If you are one of the many people who believe that an inevitable aspect of getting old includes losing your teeth as part of the aging process, you should rethink that common line of thinking as you have plenty of options to maintain a long-term partnership with your dental features.
Granted, tooth loss is very common in elderly adults, but that is down to maintenance issues and diseases that are often preventable.
Regular visits to your dentist and being proactive about caring for your teeth and their appearance, including asking if your dentist also offers teeth whitening, can all help to improve the longevity of your adult teeth and keep them where they belong, in your mouth.
Changes to be aware of
You always have to be mindful that as you get older there are certain changes to your teeth that are going to take place, which means you have to be vigilant and take immediate steps to counteract any noticeable problems before they get any worse.
It stands to reason that as you get older your teeth are going to endure a fair amount of wear and tear, and chewing your food every day, which is not exactly an avoidable action, will eventually take its toll and start wearing your teeth down.
Discoloration of your teeth is also a perfectly normal aspect of the aging process as is gum recession, where a certain amount of bone and muscle loss is entirely inevitable.
Another potential issue that could put your teeth at risk in later life is the fact that the nerves in your teeth get smaller with age, which means that your teeth become less sensitive and you are.
Fighting back
Now you know what you are up against it is important to develop a tooth preservation strategy that gives you the best chance of retaining your smile with healthy teeth and gums.
Hydration is an important aspect of dental hygiene and care that is often overlooked. Water is an essential part of helping you to maintain good oral health and when you drink plenty of water it helps you to reduce the effects of a dry mouth.
A top priority is to have a good a regular relationship with your dentist. You can’t expect to keep on top of any problems or take urgent remedial action when a problem occurs if you don’t visit your dentist on a frequent basis.
Aim to visit your dentist twice a year and especially as you get older, those regular visits become even more critical if you want the best chance of keeping as many of your teeth into old age as possible.
About Author:
Stacey Hutson is the freelance health writer. She is passionate to write about women’s health, dental health, diabetes, endocrinology and nutrition and provide in-depth features on the latest in health news for medical clinics and health magazines.
