An Over 50’s Guide To Oral Health

When it comes to oral health, the process becomes a little more tedious and requires a few more steps when you reach your fifties. 

Whether you’re healthy or following a teeth-friendly diet, there is an increased risk for developing a myriad of teeth and gum problems simply down to being of an advanced, or in your old age. 

All of that in mind, it is a good idea to make sure that you are as vigilant and pedantic as possible when it comes to oral hygiene and getting into a great routine. That means investing in a great toothbrush and always remembering to floss and give your dentist a visit at least twice a year to prevent any infections or bacterial issues going undetected for too long. 

With that out of the way, let’s take a look below at some pointers and things to keep in mind when it comes to getting on top of oral health for the over 50s crowd.

Important Facts About Older People’s Teeth

Before we dive into a few tips for keeping the teeth clean and gums healthy, we have some quick tidbits when it comes to understanding why teeth and oral health care in people over 50 requires a little more focus. 

To begin, it is a good idea to visit a local periodontist such as those at NS Periodontics when it comes to getting an in-depth look at your teeth if you’re someone over 50 a little concerned about the state of their teeth. 

Teeth Can Weaken

Off the top, one of the more important things to consider is that teeth can become brittle or a little weak over time, and this means the teeth of those over the age of 50 can be a little more breakable and prone to both cracking and decay. 

With this in mind, you will notice that your teeth are a little more likely to crack or be damaged in accidents and this means you could find yourself losing a tooth or needing major work done if you’re not too careful about both keeping them clean, and staying out of situations that can cause injury to the teeth. 

Higher Chance of Dry Mouth and Reduced Saliva Production

Another key point to keep in mind when it comes to older people’s teeth and their oral health is that saliva production is often reduced, and this can result in a higher chance of bacteria building up and not being neutralized or flushed from the mouth or the teeth. 

On top of this, it is good to note that blood pressure issues can also lead to reduced saliva production in older people, and this means that there is a long list of disorders and issues that can result in poorer oral hygiene and other issues in the mouth. 

Oral Hygiene Tips

With those two major teeth and oral issues out of the way, we have some tips for oral hygiene for people over 50 to make the process of keeping a clean mouth a whole lot easier and reducing your chances of both decay as well as gum disease and more. 

Choose Tap Water or Fluoride Water 

Off the top, it is important to consider upping your intake of fluoride to enable the body to strengthen the teeth without too much hassle. 

As most of us already know, the enamel on our teeth sometimes needs a little help in protecting itself from acidic and corrosive foods, and so a fluoride intake that is a little higher, or drinking tap water with fluoride added into it can help protect the teeth and reduce risks of decay or cavities. 

Cutting Down on Sugar and Acidic Foods 

One tip that you might already know, or follow in your daily life is reducing the intake of both sugary and acidic foods to better give the teeth an improved chance at fighting off decay and remaining a little stronger. 

A few foods to avoid including things such as milk-based beverages as well as things such as sugary candy bars, sodas, and more. 

An alternative to a lot of these foods includes nuts, cheeses, carrots, and even celery with sugar-free peanut butter. You’re able to rely on these foods to reduce a tonne of cravings and not increase your chances of getting cavities or any other severe oral issues in the future. 

Build a Twice a Day Routine 

Another key point to keep in mind when it comes to oral health is building a twice-a-day brushing routine that gives you the chance to keep on top of oral hygiene in both the morning and in the evening. 

It is a good idea to consider brushing in both the morning and evening, as well as after sticky or sugary meals if this is possible. This will ensure that you’re clearing your mouth of any foods or bacteria-causing ingredients that could reduce your chances of maintaining a clean and healthy mouth. 

Always Floss

One final teeth-cleaning process to keep a note of is flossing. You should always ensure that you are flossing between your teeth every day, and that means you’re better able to reduce chances of bacteria build up in the gums and in the tight crevices between the teeth that are difficult to reach.