Brush and Floss Daily
Brushing and flossing your teeth is just as important for you as it is
for your grandchildren. Even though it may have been years since you’ve had a
cavity, your risk of cavities increases
with age. One of the reasons is dry mouth—a common side effect of many
prescription medications.
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head to get to those hard to
reach areas. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if
the bristles becomes frayed. If you have arthritis or other condition that
limits movement, try an electric toothbrush.
Clean between teeth daily with floss. If floss is too difficult
to work with, try a floss pick or tiny brushes made specifically to clean
between teeth.
When you’re buying oral care products, look for the ADA Seal of
Acceptance. The ADA Seal has been around since 1931, and when you see it on a
package you can trust that the product is safe and does what the manufacturer
advertises.
Clean Dentures Daily
Bacteria
stick to your teeth and also to full or partial dentures. If you wear dentures,
remember to clean them on a daily basis with cleaners made specifically for
dentures. Do not use toothpastes for natural teeth or household cleaners, which
are too abrasive and can damage dentures that can be expensive to replace.
Take your dentures out of your mouth for at least four hours
every 24 hours to keep the lining of your mouth healthy. It’s best to remove
your full or partial dentures at night. Your dentist will provide you with
instructions about how long your dentures should be worn each day.
Visit a Dentist Regularly
Get
regular dental checkups at least once a year – please do not wait until you
have pain. Why? As you age, the nerves inside your teeth become smaller and
less sensitive. By the time you feel pain from a cavity, it may be too late and
you may lose your tooth. There are also more serious conditions that your
dentist will look for, like oral cancer and gum disease, which do not always cause pain until the
advanced stages of the disease. By then, it’s more difficult and costly to
treat.
When you go to your dentist for a check-up bring the following
information:
·
List of medications, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and
over-the-counter medications
·
List of medical conditions and allergies
·
Information and phone numbers of all health care providers,
doctors, and your previous dentist
·
Information about your emergency contacts, someone who can help
make decisions on your behalf in the case of a medical emergency
·
Dental insurance
·
Your dentures or partials, even if you don’t wear them
Be sure to talk with your dentist about how to properly secure
and dispose of any unused, unwanted or expired medications, especially if there
are any children in the household. Also, take the time to talk with your
children and/or grandchildren about the dangers of using prescription drugs for
non-medical purposes.
Drink Water with Fluoride
Drink Water with Fluoride
No
matter what age you are, drinking water with fluoride helps prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter.
Many community water systems contain added fluoride, but if you prefer bottled
water, check the label because some do not contain fluoride. And, some home
water filters remove fluoride from the tap water. Visit the ADA Seal product
search page for a list of water filters that do not remove fluoride from tap
water.
Quit Smoking
It’s
never too late to quit smoking.
Smoking increases problems with gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss. It also slows down healing after dental
procedures and can decrease the success rate of dental implants. Talk to your dentist about quitting. There are tobacco
cessation programs, over-the counter products and prescription medications that
your dentist may prescribe or recommend to help you quit for good. Smokefree.gov is another good resource to help you
quit today.
