In a state as beautiful as Maine, a big, healthy smile has always been a sign of confidence and health. As we smoothly move through the stages of life, our teeth must change, too. By understanding these changes and taking the right steps to take care of our teeth, we can keep our smiles bright for years to come.
A cosmetic dentist in Fairfield, ME, can help you reach your oral health goals, whether you want to get your teeth cleaned and checked out or want to change the way your smile looks.
Common age-related dental changes.
With the passing of time, our oral landscape changes in small ways. Here are some more details about some changes that come with getting older:
- Receding gums.
The gums may pull away from the teeth over time, showing more of the root surface. This can make your teeth sensitive and raise your risk of getting gum disease.
- Loss of enamel.
Acidic foods and drinks, along with normal wear and tear, can slowly wear away the protected enamel layer, making cavities more likely.
- Dry mouth.
As you get older, your body may naturally make less saliva. Saliva is very important for keeping your mouth healthy because it washes away food bits and germs. A dry mouth can make you more likely to get cavities and cause pain.
- Discoloration of the teeth.
Too much coffee, tea, red wine, and some medicines can damage or change the color of your teeth over time.
Even though these changes are normal, they should not be seen as unavoidable signs of getting older. Taking charge of our oral health and avoiding these problems before they happen can help us protect our smiles.
Essential dental practices for older adults.
As we get older, keeping our teeth and gums healthy takes a steady commitment to good habits. Here are some important things you should do regularly:
- Get regular checkups with your dentist.
Do not forget how important it is to see the dentist regularly. Your dentist can find and fix possible problems early on during biannual checkups, stopping them from getting worse.
- Carefully floss and brush your teeth.
A soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste should be used to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes per session. Plaque and food can get stuck between your teeth, but flossing at least once a day gets rid of them. For a deeper clean, you might want to use an electric toothbrush, especially if you have trouble with your coordination.
- Change some things about your diet.
Pay attention to what you eat. Limit your intake of acidic and sugary foods and drinks, and eat more calcium-rich foods like nuts, leafy greens, and dairy products. These foods make bones and teeth stronger.
- Do not forget to drink water.
Keeping yourself hydrated helps your mouth make saliva, which gets rid of germs and food particles. Carry a water bottle with you all day and sip it often, especially if your mouth feels dry.
- Do not ignore dry mouth.
If you have problems with dry mouth, talk to your dentist about what you can do. Some medicines, sugar-free lozenges, and saliva replacements can help ease these symptoms.
- Give up smoking.
Tooth loss, gum disease, and mouth cancer are all more likely to happen if you smoke. If you want to improve your health in general, including your oral health, quit smoking.
For dental problems that come with aging, you might need more care, like fluoride treatments, finding and treating gum disease early, restoration dentistry, dental implants, braces, and dentures to make the tooth surface stronger and the gums healthy. You should speak to your dentist about them as soon as possible.
Taking charge of our oral health gives us the power to keep a healthy, bright smile for life. By consistently practicing good dental hygiene habits, getting regular dental checkups, and looking into the best treatment choices when needed, we can age with confidence and have a beautiful smile for life.
