Entering the Golden Years? 4 Steps to Prevent Dental Problems

Now that you're entering your golden years, taking care of your health is more important than ever. Part of caring for your health includes taking care of your teeth. You might not realize this but an unhealthy mouth can lead to serious health issues such as dementia and respiratory infections. You can help keep yourself healthy by taking care of your teeth. Here are four steps you should take to avoid dental problems in your golden years.

Make Oral Hygiene More Comfortable

As you age, your body doesn't move as well as it used to. Arthritis can make hand movement more difficult, and even painful. Unfortunately, that can interfere with your ability to care for your teeth. If you've got arthritis in your hands, here are a few suggestions that will make oral hygiene more comfortable.

Use Pre-Loaded Dental Floss

If you've got problems with finger dexterity, or fine motor-skills, flossing your teeth can be next to impossible. Switching to pre-loaded dental floss pics will allow you to keep your gums clean without worrying about how to hold the floss.

Adapt Your Toothbrush to Fit Your Hand

If your small toothbrush handle is too difficult to hold, adapt it to fit your hand. Wrap a wash cloth around the handle and secure it with duct tape.

Purchase an Electric Toothbrush

If you've lost the strength in your hands to brush your teeth effectively, it's time to switch from manual to electric. An electric toothbrush will get your teeth clean quickly, and with less effort.

Know the Signs of Gum Disease

While you're brushing, and flossing your teeth each day, it's important that you monitor your mouth for signs of gum disease. Not sure what to look for? The early signs of gum disease include:

  • Bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth
  • Bad breath
  • Red or swollen gums

Care for Your Dentures

If you wear dentures, they're going to need regular care. Your dentures should be cleaned and soaked on a daily basis. The best way to clean your dentures is to brush them each night and then soak them overnight. Fill your denture dish with water and add a few teaspoons of vinegar. Brush them with a dental cleanser before placing them in your mouth each morning.

See Your Dentist

You may be aging, but you still need to see the dentist at least twice a year. Regular dental checkups will allow the dentist to identify minor dental problems before they become major issues.  For more information, visit a website such as http://westlakesfamilydental.com/.


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