Dental Care Advice for Aging Teeth
As you age, you may focus on maintaining a healthy body, but you may not think about the health of your teeth. Learn how to care for aging teeth and keep your smile at its best for a lifetime.
Brush a Minimum of Twice Daily
Brushing regularly is essential to removing the bacteria that builds up on teeth, which causes tooth decay and gum disease. With aging teeth, decay often develops around fillings or near areas of gum recession, so you should visit an affordable dentist regularly. Be sure to practice proper dental care at home by brushing at least two times a day for two to three minutes each time.
Floss Every Day
Did you know that your gums need as much care as your aging teeth? Brushing can clean the surface of teeth, but only floss can remove the plaque between the teeth and gums that a toothbrush just can’t get to. If this plaque remains undisturbed, it can develop into gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in older adults. Additionally, research has found that gum disease is a risk factor in developing heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. To guard both your dental and overall health, don’t forget to floss your teeth at least once a day.
Eat Healthy Foods
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes contain nutrients that help your body fight inflammation and bacteria, which protect aging teeth and gums. According to dental care experts, you should eat these foods every day:
- Apples, celery, carrots, and other crunchy fruits and vegetables are filled with vitamins and chewing them removes plaque from teeth.
- Milk, yogurt, and calcium-fortified juices provide the calcium and vitamin D necessary for strong teeth and bones.
- The calcium in cheese sticks to the teeth to protect them from decay-causing acids in the mouth, and helps rebuild tooth enamel
Go to the Dentist Regularly
There’s no denying that at home dental hygiene is a must, but it’s just as important to get regular professional dental care as you age. If you’ve avoided going to the dentist in the past, don’t wait any longer to find an affordable dentist to protect and preserve your aging teeth and overall dental health. Research suggests that the health of your mouth corresponds to your overall health. Dental problems can be a sign of a more serious problem in your body, and they can also contribute to one if unchecked oral infections spread throughout your system. Dentists often detect medical problems before a doctor. To catch problems early, don’t miss scheduling routine visits to the dentist.
To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Downtown Detroit, call Gentle Dental at Jefferson Avenue today at (313) 879-4769 or make an appointment.
Gentle Dental offers affordable family dentistry and gentle, compassionate dental care in Downtown Detroit. With 8 affiliated practices throughout Michigan, our offices are conveniently located with extended hours to meet your needs. At Gentle Dental at Jefferson Avenue, we provide most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures and complete dental reconstruction. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover an affordable dentist who truly cares at Gentle Dental at Jefferson Avenue.