t’s true – your mouth ages along with the rest of your body. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need dentures. You can have your natural teeth for the rest of your life if you care well for them. Here are four things you can do to slow dental aging:
– Avoid wear and tear: Your teeth are just like any of your cherished possessions. The more gently you treat them, the longer they will last. Avoid chewing on ice or other extremely hard foods, opening packages with your teeth, chewing on pens, biting your fingernails, or grinding your teeth. If any of these have become a habit, research funky tricks you can employ to quit. You can do it!
– Take good care of your gums: The CDC reports that 47.2% of Americans over 30 suffer from gum disease. In adults 65 or older, prevalence increases to 70.1%. Avoiding this issue is simple: brush twice a day and floss once a day.
– Battle Dry Mouth: The older you get, the more likely your mouth is to dry out. Sometimes this is a side-effect of certain medications. Your mouth needs water to produce saliva, which washes away bad bacteria in your mouth. You can battle Dry Mouth by drinking lots of water and chewing sugarless gum, and changing certain medications if needed.
– Have semiannual dental exams: As you age, your teeth’s nerves shrink. This makes you less likely to notice when you have cavities or other issues. That’s why it becomes even more imperative to visit the dentist every six months.
Need a cleaning and exam? Payson Dental and Orthodontics in Payson, Utah, is here to help. Call us at 801-465-7966 and Dr. Brian Kraft and our team will be thrilled to meet with you.
