Your Oral Health

Senior’s Oral Health
As you enter your golden years, your oral health concerns change along with your body. Here’s everything you need to know to keep your smile healthy and bright.

“Oral health in long-term care facilities” (NY Times)
A very comprehensive discussion of the reality facing Long Term Care clients and their families.

Denture Facts
Dentures can do fabulous things for a smile that’s been compromised by the loss of teeth. Here are ways to take care of your dentures:
  • See your dentist/denturist regularly;
  • Rinse your mouth and dentures after each meal;
  • Clean your dentures thoroughly once a day. Use a denture brush or a soft toothbrush as well as a denture cleaner rather than toothpaste;
  • Brush your gums and tongue with a soft toothbrush each time you clean your dentures. Rinse your mouth with water. The healthier the gums are, the better your dentures will fit;
  • Avoid using pads, liners or denture adhesives to improve the fit of your dentures;
  • See your dentist/denturist if your dentures are loose
  • Avoid using very hot or very cold water on your dentures, and don’t let them dry out. Extremes in temperature can cause your dentures to warp; and
  • Remove your dentures at night. Put them in a container filled with water to give your gums a needed rest. If you find something that looks suspicious that does not heal in 14 days, contact your dentist immediately.
It’s just as important to eat nutritiously when you’re 70 as it is when you’re 17. So don’t let difficulties with chewing or other problems prevent you from maintaining a balanced diet. Here are some tips for eating nutritiously no matter how old you are:
  • For a meal that is inexpensive, easy to prepare and nutritious, make vegetable soup with meat and soup bones. This soup can provide many vitamins, protein, fibre and water.
  • If you need more fibre in your diet, but find it hard to chew raw fruits and vegetables, try cooked or wheat cereals, or cold, high fibre cereals for breakfast, and use whole-grained breads for sandwiches.
  • Don’t care for milk, but need more calcium? Try yogurt and hard cheeses, such as Swiss, Colby, Cheddar or add powdered dry milk to prepared or cooked dishes.

Now that you know how easy it is to keep your body fueled with nutritious foods, you can continue taking care of your body. For more information on how you can eat healthily no matter what your age, see your dentist.

As you get older, your body changes. Your mouth is no exception. Healthy teeth and gums are important to how you look and feel.

A healthy mouth makes it easy to enjoy the good things that life has to offer. You will be able to chew more easily, digest food better, and enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods. Here are some details about the changes you can expect to see in your mouth and teeth, and some tips for maintaining a beautiful, youthful-looking smile no matter how old you get.

Discoloured Teeth

Is it getting harder to keep your teeth clean and white? That’s because plaque builds up faster and in greater amounts as you get older. Also, changes in dentin, the bone-like tissue that is under your enamel, may cause your teeth to appear slightly darker.

Reduced Saliva Flow

Are you plagued by a constant sore throat, burning sensation, problems speaking, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or dry nasal passages? Then you probably suffer from dry mouth, a common problem that stems from reduced saliva flow. It is caused by certain medical disorders and is often a side effect of medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers and diuretics. Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Without enough saliva to moisten your mouth, wash away food and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive cavities can form. Your dentist can recommend various methods to restore moisture.

Loss of Appetite

Just not hungry anymore? Some people experience a decrease in their sense of taste and smell as they get older, which leads to a decrease in appetite. Also, certain medications and wearing dentures can lead to a decrease in your sense of taste. See Nutrition Tips.

Cavities

Have you noticed that your teeth are more sensitive to the touch, and to hot and cold? You’re probably suffering from tooth root decay, a condition that most people over 50 suffer from. It occurs when receding gums, combined with an increase in gum disease, expose the roots of the teeth to plaque.

Decay around the edges of fillings is also common with older adults. Over the years, fillings may weaken and tend to crack and leak around the edges. Bacteria accumulate in these tiny crevices and cause acid to build up, which leads to decay.

Gum Disease

You’re probably among the three out of four adults who have some form of gum disease, the major cause of tooth loss among adults. The bacteria in your mouth thrive on the sugars and starches in the foods you eat, and create toxins that irritate the gums. Slowly, and often without pain, the gums detach from the teeth. If the gum disease is not treated, the supporting bone may dissolve and cause the teeth to loosen resulting in the need for surgical treatment of the gums and removal of teeth.

Luckily, most of these conditions are preventable. With regular, lifelong attention from your dentist, and consistent, thorough cleaning at home, your smile can remain gold-medal worthy throughout your life.

Taking care of your Natural Teeth
Has the twice-daily task of cleaning your teeth become a major frustration? Here are a few simple ideas that may make it easier for you to brush and floss:
  • Use a toothbrush with soft bristles all the same length;
  • Use a fluoride toothpaste;
  • Start with the toothbrush on your gums, and brush down on your top teeth and up on your bottom teeth;
  • With your toothbrush, very gently massage the area where the teeth meet the gums;
  • Gently brush your tongue and the inside of your cheeks;
  • After brushing, rinse your mouth with lukewarm water;
  • Floss every day;
  • See your dentist regularly;
  • Enlarge the handle of the toothbrush by attaching a sponge, rubber ball or bicycle-handle grip. You could also try winding an elastic bandage or adhesive tape around the handle;
  • If you find that a longer toothbrush handle would be helpful, try taping a popsicle stick or tongue depressor to the handle;
  • If you have trouble holding on to the brush, attach the brush to your hand with a large rubber, or elastic, band;
  • Tie dental floss into a loop for easier handling;
  • Another option is to use an electric toothbrush or commercial floss holder.

Keeping your mouth healthy shouldn’t be a struggle. If you find that these tips don’t solve your problem, see your dentist today. Your dentist will be able to provide a more customized solution for your specific situation.