Dental health is an essential yet frequently overlooked aspect of a person’s overall well-being. Unhealthy teeth can be a symptom of an underlying disease or can lead to illness. Once an individual has their adult teeth, these are expected to last them for a lifetime. However, ordinary parts of life can damage teeth and make them less reliable as you age. Being older brings its own risks to all elements of health, including your teeth. What can you do to protect your teeth as you age? Keep reading to find out.
Pay Attention to Changes
If you don’t notice any discomfort in your mouth, you may think that there’s no reason to go to the dentist for a checkup. Maybe you do feel discomfort but are afraid to have it checked in case it leads to an invasive dental procedure. For many people, growing older doesn’t eradicate their irrational fear of the dentist. If you want to avoid greater pain and suffering, it is best to look for and address changes to your dental health as soon as you spot them. This way, they can be solved sooner and in a less invasive manner.
Adjust Your Food Choices
Food preferences are hard to shift after a certain age, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to rethink your tastes and make healthier choices. Sugary and acidic foods will eat away at your enamel, exposing the dentin and causing decay.
Implants for Missing Teeth
It is normal as a person ages for teeth to loosen or break due to damage or decay. This doesn’t mean you have to live with missing teeth for the rest of your life. If you search for dental implants in Leicester, for example, you will see the state-of-the-art tooth replacement procedures on offer today. Implants are often considered more practical, long-lasting, and comfortable than other forms of tooth replacement, such as bridges or dentures. Leaving gaps without replacing missing teeth can expose your gums to damage and make you chew in a way that puts strain on your jaw and remaining teeth.
Learn Better Cleaning Habits
If you find yourself occasionally foregoing the tooth-brushing ritual in the morning or before bed, this will eventually catch up with you. Plaque buildup allows bacteria to wear down your teeth and cause damage that’s difficult to repair. Use a soft brush and good toothpaste to gently remove the day’s food and drink particles from the surface of your teeth. Floss or interdental brushes are ideal for getting into the small gaps and protecting your gum line.
Each stage of life comes with its own health implications. Babies, children, adolescents, adults, and seniors all experience changes in their bodies as they move through life, so it is only natural that teeth are included. You may have cared for your teeth your whole life, or perhaps only recently have you decided that it’s time to make some improvements. Either way, use the above advice to amend your lifestyle and protect your teeth.
