How to Care for Senior's Teeth
Like other aspects of health, caring for teeth can get a little more challenging as we age. It's no longer just about brushing a couple times a day, flossing, and visiting a dentist once or twice a year. When you're a senior, caring for your oral health can be about learning how to care for dentures and other restorative dentistry procedures. It can be about dealing with the symptoms of medications. And, perhaps the most challenging aspect of all is dealing with paying additional expenses of your dental care. Following are answers to the most common dental questions for seniors when it comes to their dental care, as well as some tips on finding resources that can aid in paying for necessary procedures and other routine dental care.
Medications and dry mouth
Many seniors take regular medications that are necessary for health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. And, though your medications may be good for your body's health, they might be doing a number on your dental health. There's no need to worry, though, because this is easily remedied. Many medications cause dry mouth, which is bad for your teeth and gums because saliva naturally washes bad bacteria out of your mouth. However, there is an easy countermeasure to dry mouth. If you're a senior who takes regular medications and often ends up with dry mouth, keep plenty of sugarless gum and sugarless candies on hand, as these can help to replenish saliva in the mouth that can help stop bacteria buildup.
Routine care for natural teeth
If you have your own teeth, you've likely taken good care of them, and now is no time to stop. It's important not just for your dental health, but for the health of your body, that you continue with twice-daily brushing, at least once-daily flossing, antiseptic mouthwash, and regular dental checkups. Recent studies have shown a link between oral health and medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimers.
Dentures and other artificial teeth
Of course, just because you have dentures or other artificial teeth, doesn't mean you didn't care for your natural teeth. There are many reasons people need to get dentures and other procedures such as implants. Accidents, injuries, and some medical conditions can cause tooth damage and tooth loss, leading to the need for artificial teeth. Dentures should be cared for just as though they are your natural teeth. Your dentist likely gave you specific instructions on caring for your dentures, and it's vital that you perform every step in that recommended daily routine. Dentures must be brushed at least daily in order to keep them healthy and clean. If you don't follow your dentist's instructions closely, you'll probably be going through the entire process of getting... and paying for... new dentures a lot sooner than you'd like.
Routine dental checkups
As long as you have a mouth, you'll need to go to the dentist. Continue routine dental visits at least once a year. If you have dentures or you've had other dental procedures performed, you may need to see your dentist more than once a year. Be sure to take your medical and dental records with you, so your dentist knows your history.
Paying for dental procedures
If you find you're unable to pay for a necessary dental procedure, there may be resources in your area that can help. Since many seniors are on fixed incomes that they get from Social Security or pensions, it can be difficult at this stage of life to find the means for dental care. The good news is that many counties and cities have free dental clinics to help seniors get the dental care they need. Additionally, AARP has resources such as low-cost dental insurance and plans that provide 80-percent coverage for preventive, maintenance, and diagnostic care. In addition, there are quality dental schools in various cities throughout the country that offer free or low-cost dental care for seniors.
Caring for your teeth as you head into retirement age and beyond isn't as challenging as you may think. There are steps you can take to minimize the challenges you might otherwise face with oral health conditions. The best thing to do, if you haven't already done it, is to start today in getting on the ideal dental care routine. Take a few of the tips mentioned above that can help you care for your teeth optimally. And if you find that you need a little assistance paying for necessary dental care, it's good to know there are resources available when you need them.
Medications and dry mouth
Many seniors take regular medications that are necessary for health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. And, though your medications may be good for your body's health, they might be doing a number on your dental health. There's no need to worry, though, because this is easily remedied. Many medications cause dry mouth, which is bad for your teeth and gums because saliva naturally washes bad bacteria out of your mouth. However, there is an easy countermeasure to dry mouth. If you're a senior who takes regular medications and often ends up with dry mouth, keep plenty of sugarless gum and sugarless candies on hand, as these can help to replenish saliva in the mouth that can help stop bacteria buildup.
Routine care for natural teeth
If you have your own teeth, you've likely taken good care of them, and now is no time to stop. It's important not just for your dental health, but for the health of your body, that you continue with twice-daily brushing, at least once-daily flossing, antiseptic mouthwash, and regular dental checkups. Recent studies have shown a link between oral health and medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and even Alzheimers.
Dentures and other artificial teeth
Of course, just because you have dentures or other artificial teeth, doesn't mean you didn't care for your natural teeth. There are many reasons people need to get dentures and other procedures such as implants. Accidents, injuries, and some medical conditions can cause tooth damage and tooth loss, leading to the need for artificial teeth. Dentures should be cared for just as though they are your natural teeth. Your dentist likely gave you specific instructions on caring for your dentures, and it's vital that you perform every step in that recommended daily routine. Dentures must be brushed at least daily in order to keep them healthy and clean. If you don't follow your dentist's instructions closely, you'll probably be going through the entire process of getting... and paying for... new dentures a lot sooner than you'd like.
Routine dental checkups
As long as you have a mouth, you'll need to go to the dentist. Continue routine dental visits at least once a year. If you have dentures or you've had other dental procedures performed, you may need to see your dentist more than once a year. Be sure to take your medical and dental records with you, so your dentist knows your history.
Paying for dental procedures
If you find you're unable to pay for a necessary dental procedure, there may be resources in your area that can help. Since many seniors are on fixed incomes that they get from Social Security or pensions, it can be difficult at this stage of life to find the means for dental care. The good news is that many counties and cities have free dental clinics to help seniors get the dental care they need. Additionally, AARP has resources such as low-cost dental insurance and plans that provide 80-percent coverage for preventive, maintenance, and diagnostic care. In addition, there are quality dental schools in various cities throughout the country that offer free or low-cost dental care for seniors.
Caring for your teeth as you head into retirement age and beyond isn't as challenging as you may think. There are steps you can take to minimize the challenges you might otherwise face with oral health conditions. The best thing to do, if you haven't already done it, is to start today in getting on the ideal dental care routine. Take a few of the tips mentioned above that can help you care for your teeth optimally. And if you find that you need a little assistance paying for necessary dental care, it's good to know there are resources available when you need them.