Are your teeth healthy for your age?
How to find out if your teeth are maturing as well as you are.
We all want to age gracefully and this is equally relative to the quality of your teeth. After all, what is the point of living life to the full if your dental health and self-confidence let you down when you should be gaining the most from life in retirement or relaxation mode? If it’s been a while since your last visit to the dentist, it’s time to book an appointment for a check-up.
Studies show that three-quarters of people aged 65 and older retain some or many of their natural teeth, but older people still suffer higher rates of dental decay, gum disease, tooth loss and other serious dental issues. If left unchecked, this doesn’t give senior citizens a whole lot to smile about.
Maintaining regular dental health is important for the quality of your lifestyle, from a medical, psychological and physical perspective.
Practising good dental hygiene and paying proper attention to health issues or any niggling tooth pains before they get out of hand is dependent on several key areas. These practicalities include:
- Brushing teeth regularly, but not vigorously, at least twice a day;
- Flossing daily between teeth to remove excess food that could cause cavities;
- Using a dentist-recommended mouthwash, daily;
- Limiting your intake of sugary foods;
- Drinking plenty of water, especially directly after eating;
- Refraining from smoking;
- Visiting your dentist on a regular basis;
- Paying attention to trouble spots or toothache before it gets the better of you.
Are your teeth ageing as well as you are?
This is a good question that many may well neglect to ask themselves. Before they realise or notice it, their teeth could be looking older than they feel. Your dentist can advise if the quality of your teeth and dental health maintenance are keeping up with the ageing process, on a case-by-case basis.
A white-tooth smile and overall dental health that keeps pace with holistic wellbeing is a sure sign that your teeth are looking good for their age. Genetics play a part in the molecular structure of your teeth, but generally speaking, maintaining long-lasting teeth and dental health are not endemic to your gene pool.
Self-assessment
Simple steps you can consider in self evaluating the maturation process of your teeth and gums, include:
All-important wear-and-tear: A lifetime of munching and crunching hard foods can erode the protective enamel of your teeth. Tooth surfaces are also affected by exposure to citric acids from citrus fruits and carbonated drinks. Regular consumption of teeth-and-enamel-eroding substances can adversely affect or dissolve the protective enamel. Similarly, any cracks in your teeth’s outer surface can wreak havoc on the sensitive pulp tissue, in turn causing irritation and inflammation. This combination is liable to set the stage for serious dental problems, so it’s important to keep abreast of the ageing process of your teeth. Good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups will keep your teeth in tiptop condition at any age.
Moist mouth health: Ensure that you deter the onset of periodontal diseases by protecting your molars and keeping gums and soft tissue moist. Like other body parts, it’s natural for gums to dry out over time, so it’s important for seniors to regularly drink plenty of water in deterring the onset of gum disease.
If your smile loses its sparkle: It’s only natural that your teeth will discolour with age, due to the ongoing effects of coffee, red wine, tobacco and other contributors. Over-the-counter teeth-whitening products that contain peroxide can be effective in the short term for removing stains. But for long-term results, it’s best to consult your dentist about teeth-whitening solutions with staying power.
If in doubt about how well your teeth are ageing, you should consult your dentist. Call us today on (07) 5443 9055 to find out if your teeth are not only looking good, but also “acting” their age!
