As you age, natural changes begin to occur throughout your body. You don’t heal as fast, various tissues, such as your gums, become thinner and weaker, and the bones that support your teeth begin to lose their strength.
Wear and tear also affect your teeth. Years of chewing and biting every single day slowly removes the enamel and increases your risk for cavities and cracked teeth.
Unfortunately, these and other age-related changes can increase your risk for tooth loss. However, our providers at Sargon Dental are experts in helping older adults keep their teeth in prime condition.
In this blog, we discuss why the risk of tooth loss can increase with age and how you can help keep your teeth healthy.
There are a number of dental issues, such as dry mouth and gum disease, which can manifest with age and increase your chances of suffering tooth loss.
Dry mouth — which is often caused by medications or health conditions — is a condition in which there is a lack of saliva. This, in turn, can increase the chances of developing cavities and gum disease, which are leading causes of tooth loss.
Gum disease is a condition in which the gum tissue gets infected and inflamed due to the buildup of plaque and tartar. In time, this condition can destroy the bone that supports teeth, cause the gums to recede, and lead to tooth loss.
Here are a few tips to prevent tooth loss as you age:
The best way to prevent age-related dental problems is to practice excellent dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing twice a day remains the cornerstone of preventive care.
Regular dental checkups are vital as you age. Visiting us every six months is the best investment you can make to keep your teeth healthy.
With professional cleanings, we can get rid of the plaque and tartar that causes gum disease, and we can find and treat cavities, cracks, and other issues as early as possible.
If not treated early, cavities and cracks can allow bacteria to get inside your teeth, which could lead to infections. We also check for signs of other problems, such as mouth sores and cancer.
The foods you eat impact your teeth positively or negatively. A well-balanced diet that includes lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products can go a long way toward promoting good oral health.
On the other hand, eating large amounts of sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and acidic products can cause major dental issues.
Drinking water throughout the day and using over-the-counter rinses or moisturizers are a couple of tactics you can use to fight dry mouth. If your case is severe, your doctor may need to adjust the medications you take or prescribe medications that boost saliva production.
If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar within a healthy range is essential for your physical and dental health. If your blood sugar is high, this could dramatically increase your risk of developing cavities and gum disease.
The best thing you can do to ensure aging doesn’t cause tooth loss is to get regular dental care. To schedule a visit, book an appointment online or over the phone with Sargon Dental today. We have offices in Encino and West Hollywood, California, and Pleasant Grove, Utah.
