Taking care of your teeth is extremely important, as having bad oral health can significantly affect the rest of your body. Older adults tend to face a myriad of health issues that can contribute to dental problems or can be exacerbated by bad oral health. Thus, it is crucial for you or your loved ones to consider the below tips for elderly dental care.
Maintain a Consistent Dental Care Routine
You do not need fancy electric toothbrushes or expensive toothpaste to ensure your oral health. Consistency is key, and sticking to a basic, fuss-free dental care routine regularly is a great way to maintain good oral health. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing often. Older adults who have trouble remembering to brush their teeth twice can consider setting up daily reminders on the phone or getting help from family or caregivers.
Cleaning Your Dentures Often
Many older adults have dentures that act as a replacement for missing teeth. Dentures need to be regularly cleaned as well because they spend a lot of time in your mouth and can cause bacteria to build up if not cleaned carefully. Dentures also need to be brushed twice a day, but instead of the usual toothpaste, you should use a specific denture cleaning paste to ensure they are properly cleaned. Since they are taken off at night before you go to bed, they should also be soaked in a denture solution overnight to get them clean and ready for another day of wear.
Preventing Dry Mouth
Dry mouth occurs when not enough saliva is produced, and can cause difficulties when eating and speaking, and may cause severe dental cavities. Some older adults are more prone to developing dry mouth because of certain medications that they take. To reduce the severity of dry mouth, try to hydrate yourself often and use mouthwashes that have moistening effects. In addition, seek treatment options from a professional dentist to prevent any long-term damages that can arise from this condition.
Visit the Dentist Regularly
Dental problems can occur even if you stick to a regular dental routine, and in such situations, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible before the issue becomes more serious. Scheduling regular dental visits is also helpful as professional dentists can identify potential problems with your oral health and address them before they start to affect you.
Aston Gardens At Parkland Commons is Committed to Your Health
Want to move to a senior living community but are concerned about your healthcare? Aston Gardens At Parkland Commons is here for you! At Aston Gardens, we offer many senior living options and our dedicated team is always around to make sure that our residents’ health is well taken care of. We understand that practicing good healthcare habits is something that older adults may not be able to manage by themselves, so we offer comprehensive wellness programs and complementary healthcare screenings to help maintain the quality of life. For residents who want to visit their doctors or dentists outside, we can also arrange transport services that will take you to your medical appointments.
