Stepping into a new chapter of your life can bring about a whole host of different thoughts and emotions. No matter what is going on in your family, work, and home life, now it has never been more important to focus on your dental health. When it comes to Boomer oral health, there are plenty of things that you can do to maintain your glistening smile. Here at Worcester Quality Dental we value oral health for seniors and want to show you how to take care of your teeth from the age of 57.
What Can You Expect From Your Oral Health as a Baby Boomer?
With over sixty years of dental experience, we know that every patient that steps through our doors is unique. Everyone has their own needs, requirements, and preferences when it comes to taking care of their teeth. We believe that oral health for seniors is a topic of conversation that shouldn’t be avoided, which is why we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of what you could expect in terms of risks.
From the age of 57, you have a higher risk of oral health problems, but this isn’t supposed to worry you. There are plenty of preventative measures that we will cover later on, which will help you to stay on top of your oral hygiene. Some of the risks you might expect as a senior are, dry mouth, dementia, tooth loss, gum recession, osteoporosis, and in more serious cases, oral cancer.
5 Preventative Measures You Can Take
Here are five quick and simple preventative measures you can take now. Boomer oral health doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming; you can get started with these top five oral hygiene habits today.
- Attend Regular Screenings
As you get older, your risk of mouth and throat cancer increases rapidly. This is why you should always attend regular screenings to ensure you catch any signs early.
- Preventing Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is very common in seniors, so using a fluoride treatment can help to counteract this. Speak to your dentist about applying fluoride varnish to your teeth in order to protect your pearly whites.
- Consider Dental Implants
Many of our patients suffer from tooth loss at some point in their lives, which is completely normal. If you’re looking to boost your confidence and regain your smile again, you may want to consider dental implants.
- Act Now Rather Than Later
Dentures may seem like an overwhelming thing, but it’s much better to get dentures sooner rather than later. Eating, drinking, and laughing with confidence is what we want for all of our patients, and dentures can often help you to regain a better quality of life.
- Don’t Forget to Brush and Floss
No matter where you are in your dental health, you should never stop brushing and flossing twice a day. Not only does this help to reduce decay and damage, but it also helps to keep you in the rhythm of doing this every day, which is very important.
Worried About Senior Oral Health? Here Are the Signs to Look Out For
Now, let’s explore a few of the most common risks in more detail so that you can feel more confident in your oral health as a senior.
Dry Mouth
When you take regular medication, you can begin to develop dry mouth. It is very common in older patients, but it can cause increased tooth decay and gum disease. The saliva in your mouth is vital for washing away particles of food as you chew and it also prevents bacteria from forming in your mouth. Speak to your dentist and schedule an appointment if you are worried about dry mouth.
Tooth Loss and Gum Recession
As you get older gum recession and tooth loss is much more common. Both of them go hand in hand because when your gums recede, there is less support for your teeth. Carrying on with your good hygiene habits will help to prevent tooth loss and gum recession respectively.
Oral Cancer
Reducing your alcohol consumption and practicing good oral hygiene can reduce your risk of getting oral cancer significantly. As you get older the risk factors increase too, which is why you should always attend screenings at your local dentist to catch any signs as early as possible.
Prioritizing Boomer Oral Health
At Worcester Quality Dental, we value the importance of dental health for all of the family. Our dentists are highly skilled and experienced, so we will always go above and beyond to create a relaxing and enjoyable experience for you in our dental office. To make an appointment with one of our friendly dentists please visit our website to schedule an appointment. Alternatively, you can call Worcester Quality Dental at (508) 754-0918.
