Monday, May 19, 2014

Maintenance of Teeth for Elderly People

As you age, important changes occur in your body. This leads to different issues with respect to your oral health. Elderly people's teeth are prone to missing of teeth, tooth decay, gum problems, sensitivity, dry mouth. These can be avoided by maintaining the teeth properly. Good oral habits makes the teeth and gum healthy.
This article gives you important points on how to maintain teeth for elderly people to prevent dental problems.

1. Brushing teeth properly
  • Brushing twice daily with a fluoridated tooth paste makes the teeth healthy.
  • Brush for at least 10 minutes to remove stains from the teeth.
  • Brush the teeth properly to ensure that all the surface of the teeth is cleaned
  • Clean gums to avoid gum problems.
2. Selection of tooth brush
  • Nylon soft bristle tooth brush should be selected for brushing.
  • Hard bristle brush should be avoided which hurts the gum and enamel
  • Brush should be changed for every 3-4 months.
  • Most of elderly people suffer with arthritis and are not able to handle the brush properly. Usage of electronic brushes helps to maintain good oral health.
3. Selection of tooth paste
  • Oral health of your teeth depends on the selection of good tooth paste.
  • In elderly adults, tooth decay and gum problems are common. Thiey can be avoided by using fluoride tooth paste.
  • Elderly people have sensitivity to cold and hot. Using desensitizing tooth paste can avoid the problem.
4. Floss daily
  • Floss regularly at least once a day before brushing teeth.
  • Floss removes the plaque and clogged food particles between the teeth.
5. Avoid smoking
Avoid smoking if you are habituated to it. Also quit consumption of alcohol. Consumption of tobacco and alcohol increases the risk of oral cancer in elderly people.

6. Taking nutritious food
  • Take well balanced diet which helps in the maintenance  oral health.
  • Taking calcium tablets which keeps the teeth stronger.
  • Avoid taking sugary foods and sticky foods which makes the teeth to prone for dental decay problems.
  • Taking sugarless gums helps to increase the flow of saliva which prevents the dry mouth problem.
 7. Visit dentist
  • Visit dentist regularly if any symptoms of dental problems like dry mouth, bad odor from mouth.
General health and oral health in particular among elderly people become vulnerable and you take adequate care of your oral health.